Iberdrola and Multiverse Computing have delivered a pilot project in northern Spain to optimise the installation of grid-scale batteries.
As electricity grids are integrating increasing amounts of renewable generation, electric vehicles, heat pumps and other distributed energy resources, battery storage is providing an increasingly important service to ensure grid stability.
Multiverse Computing’s solution uses quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms to select the optimal number, type and locations of batteries on the grid network.
This reduces the costs of adding batteries to the grid and increases network performance.
i-DE, Iberdrola’s distribution company in Spain, oversaw the pilot project, which was focused on Guipuzkoa’s electricity grid (Basque Country).
During the ten-month pilot, quantum and quantum-inspired algorithms matched or outperformed classical benchmarks to maximise grid reliability and voltage control.
The project was developed as part of Iberdrola’s Global Smart Grids Innovation Hub and part of the Gipuzkoa Quantum Program.
“With the power of quantum computing, private and public institutions can meet sustainability goals while saving on both fixed and variable costs,” said Enrique Lizaso Olmos, CEO of Multiverse Computing.
“We are proud to support the development of more reliable and economical green energy in Spain alongside a world-leading clean energy provider like Iberdrola.”
Estibaliz Goni, Process and Technology director at i-DE, added: “The results of this pilot project are encouraging, and we will continue exploring the deployment of this technology.
“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.”