Phasecraft awarded £1.2m UK Government contract to develop quantum algorithms for optimisation problems in energy grids

We are excited to announce that we have recently been awarded a £1.2 million contract by the UK Government to develop quantum computing solutions for optimisation problems within energy grids. This project, which has been awarded through the Innovate UK Quantum Catalyst Fund and follows a successful Phase 1 feasibility stage, will allow us to work with key users such as National Grid ESO and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to solve some of the key challenges facing the energy grid of today (and tomorrow). 

Phasecraft’s goal has always been to design novel quantum algorithms to solve real-world problems, and given the importance that energy grids have in everyone’s daily life we are excited to be able to contribute to them running as efficiently and effectively as possible. Both building and running an energy grid is a complex and expensive task, becoming more so as the transition to sustainable energy increases the number of smaller, renewable generators across the country. This increase in complexity means that traditional optimisation algorithms are no longer fit for purpose: at Phasecraft we aim to change this by introducing quantum solutions to the problem. 

In order to do this, we will bring together a world-class team of scientists with expertise in mathematics, computer science and physics, and working with experts and users in the energy sector we will identify and address those challenges where we believe a gain can be achieved through quantum computing over the next few years.