Power grid operators, such as National Grid in the UK, rely on high-performance computers to plan grid expansions and to schedule when energy should be produced from different sources. These problems are becoming larger and .
Power grid operators, such as National Grid in the UK, rely on high-performance computers to plan grid expansions and to schedule when energy should be produced from different sources. These problems are becoming larger and more complex due to the transition to net zero carbon emissions, and they are now reaching the limits of even the world’s largest supercomputers.
Quantum computing opens up a new avenue for progress. My research group at the University of Oxford investigates how quantum computing can offer value for the net zero transition. My colleague Xiangyue Wang and I recently published a paper in the journal Joule that identifies promising opportunities for quantum computing to help optimize the planning and operation of net zero power grids.
Over the next five years, National Grid plans to spend £30 billion on updating power grid infrastructure as part of the UK’s transition to a decarbonized grid. Large investments are also planned for low-carbon technologies, including wind, solar, nuclear and batteries. Additionally, millions of electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps will be added to local distribution networks to decarbonize transport and heating.
Planning decisions, including where to build renewables, when to upgrade electrical transmission lines, and how to roll out EV chargers, will directly affect how high our energy bills are, how often people experience power cuts and how quickly the UK can achieve its net zero targets. With billions being invested in the grid, it is crucial that grid planners understand how to spend this money wisely.
In addition to grid planning, operating a net zero grid is also a challenging optimization problem because grid power flows must match demand while remaining within safe limits at all times.
