Quantum Computing and the Looming Energy Crisis: A Call for Strategic Action

As the world approaches the quantum computing revolution, a critical challenge looms large: energy supply. The United States is already grappling with an unprecedented surge in electricity demand driven by heat waves, the rapid expansion of AI-powered data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and clean-tech manufacturing. Adding quantum computing to this mix could push the nation’s aging power grid to its breaking point. Addressing this issue is not just a matter of technological advancement—it’s a matter of sustainability and survival.

PsiQuantom has developed Omega, a quantum photonic chipset purpose-built for utility-scale quantum computing

Quantum Computing: The Next Energy Frontier 

This surge in demand is already straining power grids. Utilities are being forced to redistribute energy resources and, in some cases, revert to older, less sustainable energy sources like coal. The situation is exacerbated by climate change, with heatwaves increasing the strain on utilities and reducing the efficiency of power generation systems.

Quantum computing, with its promise of solving complex problems at unprecedented speeds, could further intensify the energy crisis. While quantum computers themselves are not yet widely deployed, their eventual commercialization will require massive energy inputs to power the specialized cooling systems and computational processes they rely on.

The Wall Street Journal’s February article, “Quantum Computing Is Closer Than Ever. Everybody’s Too Busy to Pay Attention,” highlights how businesses are preoccupied with other priorities, such as AI and regulatory challenges, rather than preparing for quantum computing. 

“A technology that feels like it’s ‘always five years away’ may suddenly be two years away—but businesses are a little preoccupied.” ~ WSJ

Why A Call for Strategic Action?

The U.S. Power Grid Is Stretched Thin

The energy demand is a pressing concern that cannot be ignored. The rapid expansion of AI-powered data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and clean-tech manufacturing (solar PV, wind, batteries, electrolyzers and heat pumps) has already placed immense strain on the U.S. power grid. Adding quantum computing to this mix could exacerbate the situation.

The IBM Quantum System Two computer at the company’s research center in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. Photo: Christopher Tirrell for IBM

Pete Shadbolt, co-founder of PsiQuantum, noted in the WSJ article that “The idea really is that we can dramatically accelerate the rate of innovation of those microscopic foundations of our biggest industries.” We say: While this acceleration is exciting, it comes with a cost: quantum computing will require massive energy inputs to power its cooling systems and computational processes. This is a critical issue that Platocom wants to highlight.

The Overlooked Energy Crisis

Platocom’s concern about energy demand aligns with broader discussions in the tech and energy sectors. For example, AI alone is expected to more than double the energy drain on U.S. data centers by 2030. Quantum computing, with its promise of solving complex problems at unprecedented speeds, could further intensify this energy crisis. While quantum processors may eventually offer efficiencies in computation, the infrastructure required to support them—such as cooling systems and specialized hardware—will place additional strain on already overburdened power grids.

The US power grid is facing a reliability crisis due to aging infrastructure, surging energy demand, and extreme weather events

Moreover, as the WSJ article points out, many businesses are not actively preparing for quantum computing. When polled at the Wall Street Journal’s CIO Network Summit, none of the attendees said they were actively pursuing business uses for quantum computing, and 50% cited other priorities as the reason for their inaction. This lack of preparation extends to energy planning, leaving utilities and policymakers scrambling to address the growing demand.

The Broader Context: Energy and Sustainability

Our perspective also ties into the broader conversation about sustainability. While quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize industries and solve complex problems, its energy demands could undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. As the WSJ article notes, “It is always going to be a very opaque, extreme technology which is used by a very limited set of technically elite people who are directly running code on the machine.” This exclusivity means that the benefits of quantum computing may not be immediately accessible to the broader public, while its energy demands will have widespread implications for society at large.

The downsizing of green energy initiatives and the delayed rollout of next-generation nuclear power further complicate the situation. Companies like Bill Gates' TerraPower are working on advanced nuclear reactors, but these technologies are still at least a decade away from widespread deployment. In the meantime, utilities are being forced to rely on fossil fuels to meet surging demand, undermining sustainability goals.

The Call to Action as Platocom Sees It

Platocom’s call for strategic action is timely and necessary. Addressing the energy challenges posed by quantum computing and other high-tech industries requires a multi-pronged approach:

1. Modernizing the Power Grid: Investments in grid modernization and smart grid technologies are essential to improve efficiency and reliability.

2. Scaling Renewable Energy: Immediate efforts should focus on expanding renewable energy production to meet growing demand.

3. Energy Efficiency in Data Centers: Data centers must adopt more energy-efficient technologies to reduce their carbon footprint.

4. Preparing for Quantum Computing: Businesses and utilities must collaborate to anticipate the energy demands of quantum systems.

5. Policy and Regulation: Governments must set clear targets for renewable energy adoption and incentivize clean energy investments.

Final Thoughts

Platocom’s perspective is not only relevant but essential in the current discourse around quantum computing. While the technology holds immense promise, its energy demands could overwhelm an already strained power grid. As the WSJ article notes, “A technology that feels like it’s ‘always five years away’ may suddenly be two years away—but businesses are a little preoccupied.” This preoccupation with other priorities risks leaving the energy implications of quantum computing unaddressed.

By focusing on the energy supply challenge, we at Platocom help riase awareness about a critical issue that will shape the future of quantum computing and other emerging technologies - and society's access to energy. Strategic planning offers a valuable roadmap for navigating this complex and rapidly evolving landscape.