Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM
Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM
Quantentechnologie
© IBM Research / iStockphoto
Quantentechnologie

© IBM Research / iStockphoto

EnerQuant: Quantum Computing for the Power Industry

Fundamental Modeling of Power Economics With Quantum Algorithms

In the BMWi-funded project we develop algorithms for qubit-based quantum computers and quantum simulators for the solution of an energy-economic fundamental model with stochastic variables. As a basis of the project we define a simple fundamental model, which we translate into a quantum mechanical problem and which can be solved efficiently on a quantum simulator. The developed algorithms are implemented in a prototype and tested on a quantum annealer. 

Subsequently, the fundamental model and the quantum simulator will be successively further developed with the aim of stochastically modeling the German electricity market with sufficient accuracy. We compare the results with a benchmark on classical high-performance computing systems and evaluate alternative architectures.

Contribution to Energy System Modelling

EnerQuant enables to use the potential of new computing technologies for energy economic modeling. We show how fundamental models are formulated in order to use the computing power of quantum simulators and thus make a long-term contribution to the further development of energy system modeling. The results will be incorporated into the software platform of our partner JoS QUANTUM and will thus be available to industry after the end of the project.

Furthermore, EnerQuant provides an analysis of the potential of quantum computers and compares their efficiency to classical hardware and alternative approaches to solve optimization problems.

Partners

  • Fraunhofer ITWM (Coordination, Departments »Financial Mathematics« and »High-Performance Computing«)
  • Fraunhofer IOSB-AST

We coordinate the EnerQuant and describe the fundamental model of energy economics in cooperation with the Fraunhofer IOSB-AST. Fraunhofer IOSB-AST contributes its own fundamental market model) as well as competence in the field of modeling uncertainties. In our department »Financial Mathematics« we have special knowledge in the field of stochastic modeling and mathematical optimization and take over the benchmarking of the models with the »Competence Center High-Performance Computing«.

Optical System for Laser Cooling
© KIP Heidelberg
Optical system for laser cooling and control of ultracold sodium atoms in the laboratory at the Kirchhoff Institute for Physics Heidelberg.
  • JoS QUANTUM
    has expertise in quantum informatics and the development of quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms. JoSQ takes over the translation of the problem to a quantum formulation, the design of the solution algorithms and prototypes as well as tests on various available hardware and platforms. JoSQ has a broad network of partners with access to various classical high-performance and quantum computers.
     
  • The University of Heidelberg
    has many years of experience in the development of specialized quantum simulators and the construction of prototypes based on ultracold atoms. This involves both the knowledge of mathematical formalisms and the technical know-how for building the machines. The existing expertise provides optimal conditions for the development of a quantum simulator optimized for the fundamental model.

  • The University of Trento has many years of expertise in the development of theoretical foundations for quantum technologies. This includes both the design of algorithms and the theoretical description of different technological platforms, a particular feature being the close collaboration with experimental teams. The University of Trento will profitably apply this experience in the translation of the fundamental model to experimental quantum simulators.

Subprojects

The project is structured into the following sub-projects, each of which is coordinated by a project partner.

  • Subproject 1: Energy economic modeling
    Formulation of the fundamental model in different levels of complexity, qubit formulation, stochastic modeling and evaluation on alternative hardware architectures (coordination: Fraunhofer)
  • Subproject 2: Algorithms for digital quantum computers
    Solution approaches for different quantum computer architectures, connection of the algorithms as microservices via the cloud software »ground state« for commercial use after the end of the project (coordination: JoS QUANTUM GmbH)
Screenshot of the Digital Kick-off of the EnerQuant Project
© Fraunhofer ITWM
Screenshot of the Digital Kick-off of the EnerQuant Project: Quantum Computing for the Energy Industry.
  • Subproject 3: Development of analog quantum simulators
    Design of an optimized quantum simulator, development of a prototype based on ultracold atoms (coordination: University of Heidelberg, University of Trento)

The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and is part of Fraunhofer's strategy to make quantum computing usable for industrial applications. At the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics, these and other activities are bundled in the newly founded competence center »Quantum High Performance Computing«.

 

Duration:

The project runs for three years. Project start was in September 2020.

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