Latest news with #energygrid
Globe and Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
IonQ Partners with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Demonstrating Quantum Power Grid Optimization Advancements
IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, announced a new achievement in applying quantum technology to energy grid optimization challenges. Through a collaborative partnership between IonQ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the team has successfully demonstrated that its hybrid quantum-classical computing approach can address the Unit Commitment problem, a critical task for power grid operators. The Unit Commitment problem involves determining the optimal schedule for power generators to meet electricity demand at minimal cost. This task becomes increasingly complex as power systems scale and generate more energy using dispatchable energy resources (e.g. nuclear plants, natural gas, hydroelectric…etc.) and intermittent sources such as solar and wind. IonQ and ORNL developed a hybrid approach that combines IonQ's 36-qubit Forte Enterprise quantum computing with classical computing. Using this hybrid approach, the team found varied solutions for power generation scheduling across 24 time periods and 26 generators. 'This demonstration marks a significant milestone in applying quantum computing to real-world energy challenges. We are proud to be partnering on this ground-breaking work with ORNL and the DOE,' said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. 'As our systems scale to thousands and millions of qubits, we expect to solve grid optimization challenges at a scale that classic computing methods cannot match.' The energy sector is increasingly viewed as a key early use case for quantum computing advantages, given its reliance on complex optimization and simulation tasks. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than 60% of energy used in electricity generation is currently lost, pointing to a significant opportunity for waste reduction through improved planning and computational methods. This research is part of DOE's multi-year GRID-Q project, which brings together national laboratories, academic partners, and private-sector companies. ORNL leads the project, with IonQ as one of only two quantum industry partners tasked with developing scalable quantum algorithms for grid operations. 'This case study, completed by ORNL in partnership with IonQ, demonstrated the feasibility of using an ion-trapped quantum computing device to solve the Unit Commitment problem in the power grid,' said Suman Debnath, who led ORNL's contributions to the project. 'As the quantum device scales, concurrent research is intended to test how the application performance can gain a quantum advantage.' IonQ anticipates that quantum systems with 100 to 200 high-fidelity qubits, which are expected as early as 2026, will be capable of solving grid-scale Unit Commitment problems. The quantum optimization methods demonstrated in this work are applicable to a broad range of industries, including logistics, scheduling, and finance. This latest announcement builds on the established relationship between IonQ and ORNL. The organizations have partnered on several projects including: noise-tolerant methods to help solve the world's hardest optimization problems as well as a novel approach to scalable quantum computing. IonQ is also engaged in a separate $22 million project with EPB of Chattanooga that includes optimizing the energy grid. About IonQ IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the leading commercial quantum computing, quantum networking and quantum applications company , delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world's most complex problems. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world's most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ's advancements in quantum networking also positions the company as a leader in building the quantum internet. The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words 'anticipates,' 'can,' 'eventually,' 'expect,' 'expected,' 'ground-breaking,' 'opportunity,' 'scale,' 'will,' and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the IonQ's quantum computing capabilities and plans; IonQ's technology driving commercial quantum advantage or delivering scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computing in the future; the relevance and utility of quantum algorithms and applications run on IonQ's quantum computers; the necessity, effectiveness, and future impacts of IonQ's offerings available today; and the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, viability, accessibility, effectiveness, importance, reliability, performance, speed, impact, practicality, feasibility, and commercial-readiness of IonQ's offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ's ability to implement its technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ's ability to deliver, and customers' ability to generate, value from IonQ's offerings; IonQ's ability to implement its technical roadmaps, business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ's ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ's customers deciding or declining to extend contracts into new phases; changes in U.S. government spending or policy that may affect IonQ's customers; and risks associated with U.S. government sales, including availability of funding and provisions that may allow the government to unilaterally terminate or modify contracts for convenience; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's patents; and IonQ's ability to maintain or obtain patent protection for its products and technology, including with sufficient breadth to provide a competitive advantage. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the 'Risk Factors' section of IonQ's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Fast Company
2 days ago
- Science
- Fast Company
The massive blackout in Spain, Portugal, and France exposed a global power crisis. Now what?
On the morning of April 28, large parts of Spain, Portugal, and southern France went dark. A massive blackout left millions without power, halting trains mid-track, cutting mobile networks, and rattling the foundation of one of Europe's most advanced energy grids. In the days that followed, experts and media outlets scrambled to explain what had happened. Was it a cyberattack? Human error? A structural failure? More than two months later, official investigations are ongoing. Early statements by the Spanish government confirmed that although no single cause has emerged, it wasn't a cyberattack. While the exact cause remains under review, one thing the energy industry agrees on is clear: This can't keep happening. 'A relentless cycle of evolution' 'Power systems are not only extremely complex, they are also in a relentless cycle of evolution—with new parts coming in and old ones going out—all while remaining stable and dependable 24/7,' says Richard Schomberg, special envoy for smart electrification at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Climate
- Bloomberg
More Than 132 Million Face Wilting Heat Across Eastern US
More than 132 million people across the central and eastern US are facing blistering temperatures to start the week, with rising humidity making it feel even worse and putting a strain on the energy grid as air conditioners and fans get a workout. Heat advisories or excessive-heat warnings have been issued from Nebraska to Massachusetts and from North Dakota to Florida, covering all or part of 29 states and more than 38% of the US population, according to the National Weather Service. Sweltering conditions will peak today and Monday before gradually easing. The US Southeast will be the last to get some relief, later in the week or next.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Grid reform key for decarbonising auto sector: SMMT
Reforms to the UK's energy grid are key to decarbonising the automotive sector in the country, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In its 26th Sustainability Report, the trade body emphasises the automotive sector's strides in reducing its environmental footprint. The report notes a 2.4% decline in energy required for vehicle production and a 6.2% reduction in average new car tailpipe CO₂ emissions. According to the SMMT, UK vehicle plants have achieved a record 60.3GWh of renewable electricity generation, largely due to investments in solar panels and wind turbines. It marks nearly a one-third increase compared to 2023, saving approximately 12,500t of CO₂. However, the rise in electrified models, accounting for 35.4% of UK new car production in 2024, necessitates more clean energy. The SMMT added: 'With new zero-emission models and gigafactories in the pipeline, overall demand for affordable clean energy is set to grow exponentially.' In June, the UK's new car market saw a growth for the second month in a row, with registrations rising by 6.7% to 191,316 units. Last month, EV registrations reached a 48.5% market share, with battery-electric vehicles rising 39.1% to 47,354 units, accounting for 24.8% of the market share. Manufacturers are investing in on-site renewable energy generation to reduce reliance on external sources, but lengthy grid connection timelines, averaging nearly 14 years, pose a challenge. This, SMMT said, requires 'changes to planning and the UK's energy mix'. Meanwhile, the UK is paying the highest electricity prices in Europe, affecting its competitiveness. The government's Industrial Strategy aims to address this, potentially reducing electricity bills by 20%. The proposed relief on standing charges for battery production and other energy-intensive industries should extend to automotive businesses, the trade body said, adding that this would support their role in achieving net zero and improve competitiveness, given the UK's high electricity prices. The automotive sector has made significant progress in developing zero-emission vehicles, decarbonising manufacturing, and investing in skills. With reduced energy costs and improved grid connections, the SMMT believes that the industry could further enhance its low-carbon manufacturing capabilities, fostering job creation and growth in the UK. "Grid reform key for decarbonising auto sector: SMMT" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Natural Gas Gets A Political Jolt—But Pipeline Gaps Risk The Payoff
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: President Donald Trump holds up the "One, Big Beautiful Bill" Act that was ... More signed into law as during an Independence Day military family picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on July 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. After weeks of negotiations with Republican holdouts Congress passed the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. The bill makes permanent President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts, increases spending on defense and immigration enforcement and temporarily cuts taxes on tips, while cutting funding for Medicaid, food assistance and other social safety net programs. (Photo by Alex Brandon - Pool/Getty Images) President Trump's July 4th signing of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' delivered a political jolt to fossil fuels—complete with sweeping tax incentives and expanded access to federal lands. But while the law spotlights natural gas as a clean, reliable workhorse, it may overpromise and underdeliver without infrastructure to match. Natural gas already fuels 43% of the U.S. grid and plays a critical balancing role alongside renewables. Yet, the bill pares back support for wind and solar projects that typically complement gas plants—potentially leaving the grid more exposed, not less. The political message was clear: fossil fuels are back. But the market—and the grid—aren't so sure. Without new pipelines, faster permitting, and support from clean energy partners, the strategy will increase volatility rather than stability, especially as electricity demand rises and coal plants continue to retire. 'The purported rivalry between natural gas and renewables is often greatly overstated because there is a lot of collaboration there,' says Dustin Meyer, a senior vice president at the American Petroleum Institute. He spoke at a virtual press event hosted by the United States Energy Association, where I participated as a panelist, asking questions. For nearly two decades, natural gas has powered the country's electric grid, replacing coal and ramping up when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine. It has long been considered a 'bridge fuel' to a renewable future. But that cleaner future is now in doubt because the new law has withdrawn the incentives to build sustainable energy plants—ones that work in tandem with natural gas units that back them up. This matters for gas, which increasingly relies on renewables to stabilize the grid and promote itself as clean. Undermining green energy growth removes one of gas's most important allies—and, paradoxically, could constrain its future. But Trump's rollback of clean energy incentives comes amid strong backing from the fossil fuel industry, which contributed more than $74 million to his 2024 campaign, according to OpenSecrets. The new law phases out wind and solar tax credits for projects starting after June 2026 and rescinds billions in climate-related investments authorized under President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. Princeton University's REPEAT Project estimates that the rollback alone could reduce future clean power capacity by over 70,000 megawatts—roughly enough to power 50 million homes. A Fragile Victory for Natural Gas Diversified Energy employees stand by natural gas well in Franklin Township, Washington County, ... More Pennsylvania, on September 6, 2024. Once a Democratic stronghold with a strong union presence, Washington County has voted Republican in every presidential election since 2008. Trump's strong support for fracking has helped him here as it has across the Appalachia region, where a controversial shale gas boom since 2008 minted millionaires almost overnight and created rare, well-paying blue-collar jobs in an area undergoing deindustrialization. Harris's past support for a fracking ban which she has reversed in her current presidential run has left many in Washington County skeptical. (Photo by Rebecca DROKE / AFP) (Photo by REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images) And while fossil fuels gained new financial incentives, natural gas didn't get the one thing it arguably needs most: infrastructure. Pipeline bottlenecks and sluggish permitting have already hampered the ability to deliver gas where it's needed—especially as coal plants are phased out and we continue to decarbonize. According to the Department of Energy, U.S. pipeline capacity is projected to grow by just 38 to 42 billion cubic feet per day between 2015 and 2030—about a third of the pace seen in the 15 years before. 'The permitting process is fundamentally broken,' says Meyer. 'It's impacting oil, gas, and renewables—infrastructure across the board.' Even successful projects illustrate the problem. A long-delayed Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline expansion in West Virginia just won final approval in June—eight years after it was first proposed. Climate is the chief concern. Environmentally-friendly plans are on the drawing board, but so far, many ideas remain elusive. The long-term outlook for gas also depends on how quickly emerging technologies mature. If green hydrogen, utility-scale batteries, or next-generation nuclear become cost-competitive, natural gas could face stiff competition not just from renewables, but from cleaner, dispatchable alternatives. 'People are looking at CCS and hydrogen-ready designs to future-proof gas plants,' says Michael Caravaggio of the Electric Power Research Institute, referring to carbon capture and hydrogen integration as possible ways to square gas with climate goals. Still, he admitted, the transition is anything but simple. The federal push for natural gas also clashes with more ambitious domestic and international climate agendas. In California, for example, natural gas still powers more than half the grid—but the state is working to cut emissions by 48% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2045. That goal is likely incompatible with a long-term reliance on gas, says Austin Hastings, PG&E's vice president of gas engineering. 'California is going to flatly reject anything that comes from the federal government labeling natural gas as green,' Hastings said at the USEA event. 'Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, but the state is going to look at it as a fossil fuel.' States and Countries Push Back People watch the liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, Golar Tundra (Rear), a floating storage and ... More regasification unit, on March 20, 2023 in the port of Piombino, Tuscany, after it arrived overnight from Singapore. A new floating storage and regasification unit considered crucial to Italy's energy independence arrived in Tuscany on March 19, 2023. The Golar Tundra will receive liquified natural gas (LNG) from other carriers which it will turn back into a gaseous state that can be fed into Italy's national gas network. The project is a key part of Italy's plan to reduce its reliance on Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine, which has also new deals with partners such as Algeria and Libya. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images) Globally, the signals are just as mixed. The European Union aims to slash fossil fuel use by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. Even as it imports American liquefied natural gas to offset the loss of Russian supplies, many countries on the continent—such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands—are scaling up wind, solar, and battery storage. Local protests frequently stall new gas projects. Branko Milicevic, with the UN Economic Commission for Europe, captured the dilemma in blunt terms at the press event: Germany said no to nuclear, no to coal, and no to Russian gas. 'They've settled on natural gas as good,' he said, at least as a temporary solution. 'Now, whether it's green, I don't say. But it's simply the only choice—and the only rational choice.' The irony of Trump's energy strategy is that it strengthens natural gas politically while weakening the clean energy system that helps make it viable. Globally, investors are betting big on renewables. According to the International Energy Agency, clean energy investment is projected to hit $2.2 trillion this year—more than double what's going into fossil fuels. These aren't just good business bets; they're climate imperatives. Natural gas, meanwhile, might be better served by embracing its role as a partner with renewables, not their competitor—at least as far as the electricity sector is concerned. But without new pipelines—and renewable energy sources to help offset its emissions—the global gas boom could sputter out. That would undermine both economic growth and climate goals. Worse, it could make the U.S. grid more brittle and more dependent on aging fossil fuel systems. 'My job is to maintain a reliable system, and natural gas plays a vital role,' Rudy Garza, CEO of CPS Energy in San Antonio, told the audience. 'But the people who put pressure on us to decarbonize aren't going to buy the renewable nature of natural gas.' The U.S. has now placed a major bet on natural gas. But without pipeline investment, permitting reform, and a coordinated clean energy strategy, this approach could backfire—exposing the grid to greater fragility and leaving utilities with limited long-term fuel strategies. That's like building a bridge without guardrails. And without such protections, the road ahead may be more dangerous than advertised.
