Quantum computing demonstrated for grid battery placement

Iberdrola has partnered with Multiverse Computing to pilot quantum computing to optimise the placement of grid scale batteries.

The pilot, which was developed under the umbrella of Iberdrola’s Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub, was overseen by its distribution company i-DE and focussed on the Gipuzkoa electricity grid in the Basque Country.

During the ten-month pilot, some quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms matched or outperformed the classical benchmark to maximise grid reliability and voltage control and thereby optimise the installation of the batteries.

“The results of this pilot project are encouraging, and we will continue exploring the deployment of this technology,” says Estibaliz Goñi, Process and Technology director of i-DE.

Have you read?
Leveraging quantum computing to tackle power grid challenges
Iberdrola’s Elena León Muñoz reveals how to break the grid bottleneck

“There are many challenges to overcome to ensure we have the smart and robust grids required to deliver the energy transition, and innovations like this will help us get there.”

To achieve the pilot’s goal, a quantum annealer and classical hardware were used to test the optimisation solution.

The algorithm was tested in grids of different sizes, first on small-scale grids and then in larger ones such as Gipuzkoa’s.

The initiative focussed on three key areas, viz the initial cost with optimisation of the cost of buying and installing multiple batteries in the electrical grid, voltage control with maximisation of the capacity of maintaining voltage levels in the nodes of the grid and reliability to minimise the impact to customers of power outages in the grid.

The project team used Multiverse Computing’s Singularity platform for quantum and quantum-inspired software.

Enrique Lizaso Olmos, CEO of Multiverse Computing, adds the company’s pride to support the development of more reliable and economical green energy in Spain alongside Iberdrola.

“With the power of quantum computing, private and public institutions can meet sustainability goals while saving on both fixed and variable costs.”

The project was undertaken as part of the Basque Country Gipuzkoa provincial council’s quantum programme.

The programme, which offers financial incentives for collaborations between quantum startups and potential customers, is part of an initiative to make Gipuzkoa, just to the east of Iberdrola’s Bilbao headquarters, one of the leading nodes for the development of quantum technologies in Europe.