In a groundbreaking advancement at the intersection of quantum and classical computing technologies, EPB Quantum℠, in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), NVIDIA, and lonQ, has unveiled a state-of-the-art hybrid computing platform aimed at revolutionizing power grid optimization and energy distribution. The announcement, made at the 2025 Quantum World Congress, details the installation of an NVIDIA DGX supercomputer system at the EPB Quantum Center℠ in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This marks a significant milestone, integrating classical high-performance computing with commercially available quantum resources within a single facility, poised to tackle some of the most complex computational challenges faced by modern energy infrastructures.
The novel hybrid architecture embodies a comprehensive approach in which CPUs, GPUs, and Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) function in concert to deliver scalable solutions across a spectrum of optimization tasks. Leveraging ORNL’s decades-long legacy in supercomputing and quantum research, the system is designed to bridge the existing divide between conventional data processing and the emerging quantum computational paradigm. This synergy stands to dramatically enhance algorithmic efficiency in real-world applications, particularly in electric grid management, where massive datasets and complex interdependencies demand unprecedented computational power.
EPB Quantum’s ambition is bold but necessary: to harness the quantum advantage in optimizing and managing the intricacies of a locally operated 600-square-mile energy distribution network. The system aims to minimize electrical losses, reduce voltage drops, and improve load balancing to maximize reliability and efficiency—objectives that classical methodologies have only partially realized. By analyzing trillions of operational data points collected from an extensive fiber-optic network and thousands of automated sensors, the hybrid platform seeks to identify new algorithms and operational strategies capable of powering a more resilient and sustainable electric grid.
The integration of lonQ’s Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer, slated for commissioning in early 2026, adds a vital quantum dimension to this initiative. lonQ, trading under NYSE: IONQ, is a trailblazer in quantum computing and networking, pushing the frontier with quantum machines targeting millions of qubits within the next decade. The partnership’s fusion of lonQ’s quantum hardware and expertise with EPB’s real-world infrastructure and ORNL’s research prowess creates an ecosystem where innovations move rapidly from theoretical research to field deployment.
Historically, EPB and ORNL’s collaboration has been instrumental in advancing energy grid security. Since 2016, the two laboratories, alongside Los Alamos National Laboratory and Qubitekk (now acquired by lonQ), have developed quantum-secure communication technologies designed to protect critical grid signals from cyber intrusions. This collaborative project, “QED: Quantum Ensured Defense of the Smart Electric Grid,” earned the prestigious R&D 100 Award in 2021, a testament to its impact in accelerating quantum networking technologies beyond laboratory conditions.
The practical marriage of classical and quantum computing resources at EPB’s facility offers a compelling preview of the hybrid supercomputing future. This model leverages classical GPUs’ well-established numerical processing capabilities alongside quantum circuits’ potential for exponential problem-solving speedups in areas such as combinatorial optimization and machine learning. The hybrid approach is critical because many real-world challenges—like power grid optimization—involve problem domains that can benefit from quantum algorithms while still requiring the robustness and vast data-handling capacity of classical computers.
David Wade, CEO of EPB, emphasized how this platform is more than a technological experiment. Rather, it represents a collaborative innovation ecosystem, enabling entrepreneurs, academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry leaders to co-develop quantum-enhanced applications that drive tangible societal benefits. By making a holistic quantum development environment accessible, EPB Quantum positions itself as a national hub for quantum technology commercialization and applied research.
From ORNL’s perspective, as underscored by Director Stephen Streiffer, the partnership exemplifies how federally funded national laboratories are pivotal in transitioning novel scientific principles into transformative technologies. ORNL’s strategy emphasizes hybrid high-performance computing as a core pillar, recognizing that future scientific and industrial breakthroughs will depend on integrating diverse computational architectures that include quantum accelerators. This vision aligns with the Department of Energy’s mission to advance clean energy, national security, and scientific discovery.
The project also reflects NVIDIA’s forward-looking commitment to hybrid quantum-classical infrastructures. Sam Stanwyck, NVIDIA’s group product manager for quantum computing, highlighted that this initiative is not merely theoretical—it’s an endeavor that actively shapes hybrid computing’s practical landscape. NVIDIA’s AI and GPU technologies complement quantum processors by enabling scalable simulations, quantum algorithm development, and data-intensive computations necessary for optimizing complex systems like smart grids.
LonQ’s CEO Niccolo de Masi added that while quantum hardware has advanced rapidly, its full potential will be realized only through the development of tailored algorithms and practical applications rooted in tangible infrastructure. The alliance’s access to EPB’s rich operational data accelerates this process by providing a testing ground far beyond the usual lab-based experimentation, thus shortening the innovation cycle for quantum-based solutions.
Looking forward, the outcomes of this joint hybrid computing effort are intended to be replicable across other energy networks in the United States and beyond. While EPB’s operations encompass a significant 600-square-mile service area, the methodologies, tools, and algorithms developed will likely scale to regional and national grids, helping utilities address efficiency, reliability, and security issues amid rising demand and climate-related stresses.
This comprehensive hybrid computing model ultimately serves as a harbinger for a new era in scientific computation, where the strengths of classical and quantum technologies are harnessed in tandem to conquer problems once considered intractable. As quantum systems mature and integrate seamlessly with their classical counterparts, the implications will ripple broadly—from energy and materials science to finance and national defense—ushering in a transformative paradigm of technological innovation.
For now, the EPB Quantum Center stands as a living laboratory embodying this transition. The coupled deployment of the NVIDIA DGX system and lonQ’s forthcoming quantum devices equip scientists and engineers with unmatched computational tools, accessible through cloud platforms and bolstered by deep partnership networks. This synergy promises to accelerate the quantum revolution from theoretical promise to practical reality, delivering breakthroughs with far-reaching societal impact.
Subject of Research: Power grid optimization through hybrid classical-quantum computing systems.
Article Title: EPB Quantum and ORNL Pioneer Hybrid Computing Platform to Revolutionize Power Grid Optimization
News Publication Date: 2025 (Exact date not specified)
Web References:
- EPB Quantum Hybrid Computing Announcement: https://epb.com/newsroom/press-releases/epb-quantum-adds-hybrid-computing-to-comprehensive-quantum-development-platform/
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory: https://www.ornl.gov/
- Department of Energy Office of Science: https://energy.gov/science
- lonQ Official Site: http://lonq.com
- EPB Official Site: http://epb.com
- EPB Quantum Portal: http://epbquantum.com
References:
- 2021 R&D 100 Award for “QED: Quantum Ensured Defense of the Smart Electric Grid”
- Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000
- Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list
- Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle
Keywords: Quantum computing, hybrid supercomputing, power grid optimization, quantum networking, classical-quantum computation, energy distribution, high-performance computing, quantum hardware, quantum algorithms, grid automation, quantum-secure communication
