Quantum technology in the energy sector

Even ten years after the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima, the German government is sticking to the nuclear phase-out and relying on renewable energies. A hybrid energy supply consisting of hydro, wind and solar energy requires highly optimized energy management systems, since variable weather influences and a variety of decentralized generators of different sizes (from wind farms to PV systems on their own roofs) must be coordinated for a reliable supply. 

Computationally intensive optimization methods are used to find the most favorable combination of conventional and renewable power generators, storage capacities, transport losses, and expected demand to ensure a secure supply. The complexity of the problem can be scaled. For example, determining the optimal number of generation units already requires a certain amount of computing time, which grows exponentially with the number of variables considered.

Ahead of supercomputers

Quantum computers are already showing significant advantages over today's supercomputers in solving complex optimization problems. Yet quantum computers are still at a very early stage of development. With increasing qubits, more and more complex problems can be calculated. Large energy companies in the USA have already been using this new technology for several years. In Europe, the topic is just starting to gain momentum. The prospects are promising. Industry and professionals should therefore keep an eye on all relevant information in order to make strategic decisions.