Utilities brace for quantum computing’s impact on energy demand and grid operations

Utilities are racing to understand quantum computing’s implications for energy demand and grid operations, aiming to avoid the reactive scramble seen with artificial intelligence. The technology, which leverages quantum mechanics to solve complex problems beyond classical computing’s reach, could revolutionize power system optimization, cybersecurity, and AI data center efficiency-but its impact on electricity demand remains uncertain. ## Quantum computing’s potential and challenges Quantum computing offers exponential speedups for large-scale optimization and materials science, according to Jeremy Renshaw, director of open power AI and quantum at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). While its processor power use is relatively small, the 24/7 cryogenic cooling required-nearing absolute zero-introduces a unique load profile that utilities have never encountered. Aparna Prabhakar of Schneider Electric warns that traditional infrastructure upgrades won’t suffice; instead, utilities must adopt software-defined power systems to manage these new demands in real time. Duke Energy’s Isuru Wijesundara highlights the complexity of balancing interconnected variables in power systems, where quantum computing could provide critical optimization capabilities. However, opinions diverge on whether quantum data centers will strain the grid. Renshaw argues their energy use pales in comparison to AI training facilities, while Prabhakar anticipates reliability requirements at least as stringent as conventional data centers. ## Early utility adopters and infrastructure investments Several utilities are already exploring quantum applications. EPB, a municipal utility in Chattanooga, collaborates with IonQ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee to deploy a 36-qubit quantum computer this year. The system will optimize battery placement and dispatch across its 150 feeders, integrating with classical computing via NVIDIA’s CUDA-Q platform. Similarly, Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) is testing quantum solutions for its 82 batteries, initially focusing on cybersecurity before expanding to broader grid applications. ComEd is preparing for large-scale quantum computing by upgrading infrastructure at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago. The utility is installing cryogenic cooling systems and grid enhancements to support PsiQuantum’s planned utility-scale quantum computer, alongside tenants like IBM and Infleqtion. Constellation Energy, meanwhile, is researching quantum use cases in nuclear reactor fuel assembly, though it expects minimal near-term impact on power demand. ## Preparing for a transformative technology While quantum computing remains in its early stages, McKinsey estimates it could unlock up to $2.7 trillion in economic value by the 2030s. Over 300 companies across sectors, including energy, are already experimenting with the technology, which generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2025. Duke Energy’s Wijesundara emphasizes the importance of building foundational quantum literacy, calling it a "low-risk, high-value" investment in a potentially transformative technology. Quantum computing’s reliance on qubits-particles that exist in multiple states simultaneously-enables it to process vast solution spaces exponentially faster than classical computers. Though physicists debate the underlying principles, the technology’s practical applications, from laser development to grid optimization, are already being realized. Utilities that engage now stand to shape standards and harness quantum computing’s potential before it becomes mainstream.