EDF is a leader in the global energy market, committed to generating clean electricity to the highest safety standards. As renewable energy adoption increases and consumer habits change, EDF faces challenges in demand forecasting and supply optimisation. Addressing these obstacles is crucial for ensuring efficient and safe energy distribution in the sector.
Reaching the computational threshold
EDF faces the challenge of accurately forecasting energy demand, which is complicated by the unpredictability of renewable resources. Unlike traditional energy, the output from renewables is heavily dependent on environmental conditions, which are highly variable. Additionally, nuclear power and gas plants cannot be quickly activated or deactivated to match these fluctuations.
Establishing the right balance between energy supply and demand requires precise forecasting and planning. EDF’s transition to quantum computing emerged from the limitations of classical computing and coding methods, particularly in handling these complex challenges.
Traditional algorithms, while effective for smaller scales, struggle to keep up with the expansive needs of modern energy management like forecasting the demands of millions of electric vehicles. Classical computers, used for tasks like simulating nuclear plant operations and the aging of photovoltaic materials, have reached their computational thresholds in these areas.
Recognising these constraints, EDF began exploring quantum computing in 2016 as a means to significantly enhance its forecasting accuracy and operations. The EDF Quantum Project Team, led by Joseph Mikael, Head of Quantum Computing at EDF, is an interdisciplinary group of professionals, set up with a long-term vision to tackle complex challenges in the sector.
The team was not expected to yield immediate returns but instead ensure EDF was prepared with in-house expertise in quantum technologies.
A pioneering partnership
EDF’s partnership with Pasqal started in 2018, stemming from initial meetings with the startup’s founders, Professor Antoine Browaeys and Loïc Henriet. Their first project focused on optimisation and saw the partnering of Pasqal’s emerging quantum expertise with EDF’s deep industrial knowledge.
Through this approach, Pasqal gained insight into real-world industrial applications and challenges, while EDF explored the quantum-aided optimisation of energy distribution, such as smart charging systems for electric vehicles.
This collaboration was not just about applying existing quantum solutions but actively engaging in day-to-day problem-solving and research, establishing a foundation for ongoing innovation.
One of EDF and Pasqal’s most notable collaborations involved simulating the ageing of materials within nuclear power plants. The restrictions of traditional computing make it difficult to accurately model material behaviours when exposed to high temperatures and radiation. Numerous assumptions and simplifications are required, which can compromise the accuracy of simulations.
To resolve this issue, the pair applied a quantum computing solution. This is crucial for multi-scale modelling, where critical phenomena are simulated at the microscopic level to predict potential issues like material degradation or the formation of cracks within the reactor structure.
By using Pasqal’s technology, EDF is aiming to precisely simulate atomic movements and interactions under extreme conditions. This simulation capability is vital, as it helps predict the emergence and potential propagation of cracks, assessing their impact through larger-scale simulations that rely on partial differential equations.
Forging new frontiers
This partnership is characterised by mutual technical respect and shared goals. Pasqal’s team, known for its deep understanding of its machines and quantum algorithms, has been instrumental in helping EDF’s specialists grasp the nuances of these advanced technologies through extensive training and skill sharing.
Such intensive cooperation underscores the symbiotic nature of this relationship, as they continue to explore the frontiers of quantum computing in industrial applications. Looking ahead, EDF is poised to deepen its engagement with quantum computing, with ambitious projects that will push the boundaries of technology and its application in the sector.
EDF and Pasqal’s three-year roadmap features two main objectives. The first involves rigorous testing of quantum algorithms on actual quantum machines. Moving beyond simulations to gain practical insights and validate the algorithms’ effectiveness in real-world scenarios.
The second revolves around scalability—a critical challenge in quantum computing. The pair plan to explore parallelisation techniques, which divide workloads into independent tasks that can be completed concurrently by different processors. This would enhance the computational power and efficiency of quantum algorithms, as well as help scale up the applications of quantum technology in EDF’s operations.
EDF aims to determine definitively whether there is a quantum advantage to be leveraged and, if so, to establish a timeline for its broader implementation. This forward-looking approach underscores EDF’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge quantum technologies into its core operations, potentially transforming energy management practices and reinforcing its leadership in the global market.
This article appeared in the Nov/Dec 2024 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.