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Simply put, a digital twin is an electronic representation of an actual thing, system or process. In many different fields, it is used as an instrument for analysis, monitoring and modeling. To describe and simulate complicated systems with unparalleled efficiency and accuracy, a quantum digital twin makes use of quantum bits (qubits). A new era in computing power has dawned with the advent of quantum computing, which makes use of entanglement and superposition.
Traditional digital twins model complicated systems with binary bits that can take on only two values: 0 or 1. In contrast, qubits are capable of superposition, which allows them to exist in more than one state at once. Because of this, a quantum digital twin can model and investigate more complex physical systems by representing and analyzing a wider variety of possibilities.
To improve the effectiveness of environmentally friendly hydrogen generation, Multiverse Computing, a business that focuses on value-based machine learning and quantum computing, used a digital twin in conjunction with quantum optimization. By reducing a major source of greenhouse gas, this approach has the potential to alter the economics of producing hydrogen.
Ametic, the digital industry association of Spain, and Idea Ingeniería, an engineering business that focuses on renewable projects and digital twins, are partners in this endeavor for Multiverse. To maximize the production of environmentally friendly hydrogen, Idea created the digital-twin ecosystem. Ametic is coordinating the project.
The quantum digital twin takes operational characteristics for a green hydrogen production facility and uses them to run a numerical simulation of the unit. The proposed method improves upon the classical solver by 5% in hydrogen production and related income by optimizing the electrolysis process for green hydrogen generation with the help of quantum algorithms.
After optimizing hydrogen production with a classical solver, the virtual factory produced 62,579 kg of green hydrogen gas and generated €154,204 in revenue. The quantum method yielded 65,421 kg and €160,616 in revenue by combining Multiverse’s Singularity with tensor networks inspired by quantum theory. A 5% increase in both hydrogen production and sales is represented by this.
Producing green hydrogen is now more costly than producing grey hydrogen, the more conventional option. Hydrogen and oxygen are separated from water using the conventional process, which often involves electricity produced by coal or natural gas. Hydrogen that is “green” is made from renewable resources.
Compressed hydrogen tanks have the potential to facilitate more efficient energy storage compared with lithium-ion batteries, thanks to green hydrogen’s long-term energy storage capabilities and lighter weight. Also, by reducing carbon emissions from shipping, airplanes and trucks, it has the potential to make the transportation sector more environmentally friendly.
To build a more accurate quantum digital twin, Multiverse intends to raise the input parameters, collaborate with an energy firm to verify the digital model and keep improving the quantum solution it has already established.
In this Q&A, Multiverse Computing’s chief growth officer, Iraia Ibarzabal, will provide more insights into the quantum digital twin project for the production of green hydrogen.
Power Electronics News: What inspired the collaboration to focus on improving green hydrogen production specifically?
Iraia Ibarzabal: Green hydrogen, produced through renewable energy sources, serves as a clean fuel for various industries, reducing carbon emissions. Its versatility makes it a key player in decarbonizing sectors like transportation and manufacturing. As global efforts intensify to combat climate change, green hydrogen holds immense potential to replace fossil fuels, fostering energy independence and a greener economy.
PEN: How does the quantum digital twin differ from conventional methods in simulating and optimizing hydrogen production?
Ibarzabal: The quantum digital twin numerically simulates a green hydrogen production plant by using the operating parameters of the plant as inputs. By using quantum algorithms to optimize the electrolysis process used for green hydrogen generation, the developed solution achieves a 5% increase in hydrogen production and associated revenue delivered by the quantum solver compared with the classical solver.
PEN: How scalable is this quantum approach for broader applications within the renewable-energy sector?
Ibarzabal: Electrolyzers are currently deployed at a small scale, making hydrogen production costly, so they require significant scale-up. This project demonstrates how quantum algorithms can improve the production of green hydrogen to make renewable energy more cost-effective. This same principle can be applied to other applications like wind-farm efficiency, grid-stability forecasting or energy-market optimization.
PEN: What measurable improvements have been observed with the quantum approach compared with traditional methods in terms of hydrogen production and associated revenue?
Ibarzabal: Using a classical solver to optimize hydrogen production, the virtual plant delivered 62,579 kg of green hydrogen and revenue of €154,204. By using quantum-inspired tensor networks with Multiverse’s Singularity, the quantum approach delivered 65,421 kg and revenue of €160,616. This represents a 5% increase in hydrogen production and a 5% increase in revenues produced.
It should be noted that this is a first approximation for the development of a digital quantum twin for hydrogen production, and performance values will be improved as a more complete tool is developed and validated in a real-world environment.
PEN: How do you foresee these advancements impacting the economics of green hydrogen production on a larger scale?
Ibarzabal: Optimization methods can drive down the production costs of green hydrogen and enable the scaling up of green hydrogen production facilities.
PEN: In what ways can the increased production and revenue achieved through quantum optimization help in the wider adoption of green hydrogen?
Ibarzabal: About 70 million tons of hydrogen are produced every year and used to refine oil and make ammonia-based fertilizer. The grey hydrogen production process generates between nine and 12 tons of carbon dioxide for every ton of hydrogen produced. Green hydrogen created from renewable sources, if cost-effective, is a clean-burning fuel that could reduce worldwide emissions.
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