Engineering researchers at Flinders University have won federal funding to develop a quantum computing-based demonstrator for remote community energy systems.
A quantum computer can perform calculations in minutes that take a supercomputer days, consuming kilowatts instead of megawatts of power.
Led by Professor of Electronic and Electrical Engineering Apel Mahmud the project will use advanced quantum optimisation and machine learning algorithms to design a quantum-based demonstrator model for remote community energy systems.
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The $1.45 million project, kickstarted by $1.15 million in the latest round of grants announced by the Australian Government’s Critical Technologies Challenge Program, will work with industry partners EfficientSee and Zeco Australian Energy Solutions, as well as experts from two other Australian universities.
Professor Mahmud’s latest research focuses on sustainable and reliable energy supply solutions for rural and remote communities, including First Nations communities.
“Building on our feasibility study in Stage 1, the new energy management system will address complex computational challenges associated with reliable electricity supply to remote areas,” Professor Mahmud said.
“More intelligent control and forecasting of supply to these remote energy systems will support government efforts to reduce the financial burden of these high-cost systems.”
Key outcomes of the project will include creating a digital twin of remote energy systems and integrating these into a working prototype.
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The Flinders University research team aims to develop a scalable model applicable to remote communities globally.
The new technology could also assist to enhance agricultural energy supplies for off-grid farming operations, disaster resilience, urban microgrid management and defence and emergency operations.
The Flinders University project will run along side a second program, led by La Trobe University and partners, to develop quantum-enhanced optimisation for energy efficient data centres. Both projects aim to optimise the performance, sustainability and security of energy networks in Australia.
