Quantum‑powered optimisation is no longer a distant dream. Last night at the Royal Society, Phasecraft announced Mondrian, a software platform that marries the raw potential of today’s quantum processors with the reliability of classical algorithms. The unveiling, attended by senior government officials and industry leaders, signals a turning point for sectors that depend on solving significant, complex optimisation problems under tight time constraints.
Quantum‑Enhanced Optimisation: A New Hybrid Paradigm
Mondrian’s core innovation lies in its “quantum‑enhanced” approach. Rather than attempting to solve a problem entirely on a noisy quantum chip, the platform feeds the quantum output into a classical routine that has already proven effective at scaling. This hybrid workflow allows the system to benefit from the quantum processor’s ability to explore vast solution spaces in parallel, while relying on the classical algorithm’s robustness to refine and converge on a high‑quality solution. The result is a dramatic reduction in computation time without demanding fault‑tolerant hardware.
In practice, a quantum subroutine might generate a set of candidate solutions for a combinatorial optimisation task. The classical component then evaluates these candidates, eliminates infeasible ones, and iteratively improves upon the best. This technique turns the current limitations of quantum devices into an asset: the noisy hardware is used for the exploratory phase, and the classical part ensures that the final answer meets real‑world constraints. Early benchmarks show that, for certain benchmark problems, this hybrid method can outperform pure classical solvers by up to three orders of magnitude.
Smarter Optimisation for a Greener Grid
Energy networks epitomise the kind of problem Mondrian was designed to tackle. The United Kingdom’s power grid is evolving rapidly, with higher demand, a surge in renewable generation, and the need for smarter infrastructure. Phasecraft partnered with the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to adapt Mondrian to this environment. The platform now assists grid operators in several critical tasks:
- Power exchange calculations , Determining the optimal flow of electricity across the network to minimise losses and balance supply and demand.
- Intentional islanding , Identifying subsets of the grid that can be isolated during faults to preserve stability.
- Renewable placement , Deciding where to install new wind or solar assets and sensors for maximum efficiency.
In pilot tests, Mondrian achieved speed‑ups of up to 1,000 times over conventional methods for these use cases. For example, a power exchange problem that previously required several hours of computation was solved in under ten minutes, enabling operators to respond more swiftly to market signals. By reducing energy losses and optimizing asset placement, the platform contributes directly to a more resilient, cost‑effective, and greener grid.
Beyond Energy: A Wider Horizon
While the energy sector offers a compelling first application, the versatility of Mondrian extends to logistics, finance, and communications. In logistics, the platform can optimise delivery routes, warehouse layouts, and supply‑chain flows, reducing fuel consumption and improving service levels. In finance, it can tackle portfolio optimisation, risk assessment, and algorithmic trading strategies that involve large constraint sets. Communications networks can use the software to allocate bandwidth, schedule transmissions, and manage network topologies in real time.
Phasecraft’s announcement also highlighted the platform’s secure, cloud‑based access model. Within the coming month, operators across these industries will be able to test Mondrian in their own environments, benefiting from the company’s expertise in both quantum and classical optimisation. The collaboration with the UK government, which funded the initial £1.2 million Quantum Catalyst Fund award, underscores the strategic importance of bridging academic research and commercial deployment.
Concluding Insight
Mondrian demonstrates that the marriage of quantum and classical computing can yield tangible, near‑term benefits for real‑world problems. By leveraging the exploratory power of noisy quantum processors and the proven reliability of classical algorithms, Phasecraft has carved a niche that bypasses the need for fully fault‑tolerant machines. The platform’s success in energy grid optimisation, coupled with its potential across multiple sectors, marks a significant stride toward commercial quantum utility. As more operators adopt Mondrian, we may see a new generation of optimisation tools that push efficiency, resilience, and sustainability to unprecedented levels.
