Computation underpins every aspect of power and energy systems (PES), from planning and control to market operations. As PES become increasingly digitalized, decentralized nationally, and interconnected across Europe, both problem complexity and computational demands rise sharply, pushing current methods to their limits.
Addressing these challenges and solving currently intractable problems requires exploring emerging computing paradigms to develop scalable solution approaches for future PES.
Quantum computing, in synergy with operations research and artificial intelligence, has the potential to transform how we design and operate future energy systems: enabling faster large-scale optimization for renewable integration, improving grid resilience, and ensuring secure market operations through quantum-safe communication. Moreover, quantum computing research can drive new software engineering methodologies for sustainable and resource-efficient computing. Leading technology developers anticipate demonstrable quantum advantage by the end of this decade, and the practical importance of quantum technologies is reflected in strategic agendas such as the EC Quantum Strategy and the Dutch National Technology Strategy. International work has begun on quantum technologies for PES, driven by cross-disciplinary research and industry collaboration. In the Netherlands, however, relevant research remains fragmented and lacks visibility. Therefore, building a community that connects experts in electrical engineering and computer science with energy researchers is vital for identifying high-impact use cases, fostering cross-disciplinary research, and engaging the industry. The 4TU context is essential, as it uniquely combines leading expertise in ICT (through 4TU.NIRICT) and Energy (through 4TU.Energy), ensuring cross-disciplinary collaboration that would not emerge within individual institutions and that is required to position the Netherlands at the forefront of this emerging research field.
We aim to:
1. Build a cross-disciplinary community of 4TU researchers approaching PES from both the ICT and electrical engineering domains, with an interest in quantum technology applications.
2. Organize activities to jointly assess the current research landscape in the Netherlands, identify strategic research gaps, and application areas where the 4TU can lead.
3. Enhance the visibility and influence of 4TU research in quantum technologies for PES by producing a joint research agenda, sharing it with funding agencies, and networking with potential industry and academic partners at the national and European level.
4. Contribute to establishing a long-term collaboration platform within the 4TU, with the ambition to develop joint interdisciplinary national and European projects on quantum computing for PES.
- Nikolaos Paterakis, Assistant Prof., TU/e, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Energy Systems
- Pedro P. Vergara, Associate Prof., TU Delft, EEMCS, Electrical Sustainable Energy
- Matthias Möller, Associate Prof., TU Delft, EEMCS, Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics
- Marco Gerards, Associate Prof., UT, EEMCS, Computer Architecture for Embedded Systems
- June Sallou, Assistant Prof., WUR, Information Technology Group