Quantum computing holds immense potential to drive breakthroughs essential for addressing the climate crisis. Jeremy O’Brien, CEO and cofounder of PsiQuantum, discusses how his company is leveraging this cutting-edge technology to contribute to large-scale climate change mitigation.
Once quantum computers are commercially viable, they are expected to revolutionize various industries and unlock immense value.
Their ability to simulate the complex chemistry that drives human activity positions them as a game-changer for innovations in carbon capture, sustainable fuels, energy storage, fertilizers, and catalysts.
In an insightful conversation with McKinsey’s Philipp Hillenbrand, O’Brien elaborates on PsiQuantum’s strategy to accelerate and scale quantum technology, with a bold vision to apply it in the global fight against climate change.
Read More: How Quantum Computing Can Contribute to Solving Global Warming
Key Insight #1: Accelerating the Development of a Commercially Viable Quantum Computer Requires a Fundamentally Different Approach
Philipp Hillenbrand:
Could you explain the various technologies that underpin quantum computing and why PsiQuantum has focused on a photonics-based system from the outset?
Jeremy O’Brien:
The essential point to understand is that all practical applications of quantum computing demand error correction, which in turn requires systems with millions of qubits. Current systems have made progress with around 100 qubits, but a significant gap remains.
From the very beginning, PsiQuantum has been committed to developing a quantum computer capable of solving real-world problems.
I’ve believed for over 20 years that to achieve this in my lifetime, we would need to employ advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques, akin to those used in placing billions of transistors in modern cell phones.
However, semiconductor foundries face limitations with the materials and devices they can produce. Qubits often require millikelvin temperatures, atomic-scale fabrication, or rare materials incompatible with conventional semiconductor methods.
Our team has created an architecture based on photonic qubits, which sidesteps these challenges. This allows us to use silicon photonics—a technology developed over the past 25 years, primarily by the telecom industry, but now expanding to other sectors.
By utilizing existing commercial components, we can generate, manipulate, and measure qubits more efficiently, significantly accelerating our timeline to reach a million qubits.
Beyond sheer qubit scale, photons offer several key advantages in overcoming the core obstacles in quantum computing: cooling power, control electronics, connectivity, and testing. Our photonic approach addresses all of these challenges, enabling us to iterate swiftly toward a working machine.
These advantages reinforce my long-standing belief that photonics is the only viable path to achieving the necessary scale for fault-tolerant quantum computing in a practical and cost-effective manner.
Key Insight #2: Quantum Computing Applications, Once Considered Decades Away, May Now Be Realized Within the Next Ten Years
Philipp Hillenbrand:
What would you say to a skeptic who believes that quantum computing will always remain in the realm of science fiction and never become practically viable?
Jeremy O’Brien:
I completely understand the skepticism, given the enormous challenges involved. If we hadn’t figured out how to utilize the production lines of a leading semiconductor foundry to manufacture our chips, I would still be saying that quantum computing is decades away.
However, unlike in the past when we built these systems in research labs, we’re now developing them alongside the chips used in your laptop and cell phone, within the world’s most advanced semiconductor production lines. This technology is rapidly maturing.
We’ve thoroughly simulated our architecture, and we’ve overcome all the major technical hurdles. We’ve demonstrated crucial building blocks such as entangling gates and small-scale algorithms.
When I first encountered the concept of quantum computing in 1995, it seemed almost fantastical, akin to the agricultural, industrial, and digital revolutions. Back then, it was hard to imagine how quantum mechanics could be harnessed for such transformative purposes.
But today, PsiQuantum is attracting significant interest from Fortune 500 companies, who are already strategizing on how to integrate quantum computing into their operations. They’re preparing now to gain a first-mover advantage as this game-changing technology becomes available.
Key Insight #3: Quantum Computing Will Revolutionize Chemistry, Paving the Way for Breakthrough Innovations in Low-Carbon Technologies
Philipp Hillenbrand:
How do you envision quantum computing transforming the field of chemistry, particularly in relation to low-carbon technologies?
Jeremy O’Brien:
Quantum computing has the potential to radically transform chemistry by simulating molecular structures and reactions with a level of precision and speed that traditional computers simply can’t achieve.
This ability to model complex chemical processes could lead to groundbreaking advancements in areas like carbon capture, the development of sustainable fuels, and energy-efficient materials.
For instance, quantum computing can help us better understand and design catalysts that make chemical reactions more efficient, significantly reducing emissions in industrial processes.
Similarly, it could accelerate the discovery of new, high-performance materials for batteries, renewable energy storage, and next-generation fertilizers that reduce environmental impact.These breakthroughs will be crucial in addressing global challenges like climate change.
Quantum computing’s ability to solve problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computing will enable us to unlock new low-carbon technologies that could be pivotal in achieving a sustainable future.
Key Insight #4: Quantum Computing Use Cases Could Contribute Significantly to Emissions Reductions Required for a 1.5°C Pathway
Philipp Hillenbrand:
How do you see quantum computing playing a role in meeting the emissions reduction targets necessary to achieve the 1.5°C global warming pathway?
Jeremy O’Brien:
Quantum computing has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in emissions reduction.
By enabling the design of more efficient carbon capture technologies, optimizing energy systems, and accelerating the development of low-carbon materials, quantum computing can significantly lower emissions across various sectors.
For example, quantum algorithms could revolutionize the efficiency of renewable energy grids, allowing for better integration of intermittent power sources like solar and wind.
Additionally, in the industrial sector, quantum computing could improve the design of clean technologies, like more efficient batteries or sustainable fuels, which are critical to reducing the carbon footprint of manufacturing and transportation.
When applied at scale, these use cases could account for a substantial portion of the emissions reductions needed to meet the 1.5°C pathway, making quantum computing an essential tool in the global effort to combat climate change.
Key Insight #5: Technology Is Crucial in the Fight Against Climate Change, But It Cannot Solve the Crisis Alone
Philipp Hillenbrand:
While quantum computing and other technological innovations hold great promise, how do you view the broader role of technology in addressing climate change?
Jeremy O’Brien:
Technology is undoubtedly a critical driver in mitigating climate change, offering powerful tools to reduce emissions, optimize energy use, and innovate sustainable solutions. However, it’s important to recognize that technology alone cannot solve the crisis.
Achieving meaningful progress will also require strong policy frameworks, international collaboration, and significant behavioral changes at all levels of society.Quantum computing, for example, can help us discover new materials, optimize energy systems, and improve carbon capture methods.
But the deployment of these technologies must be accompanied by coordinated efforts to shift toward renewable energy, implement sustainable practices, and create an economy that prioritizes long-term environmental health.
In short, while technology will play a pivotal role, it must be part of a broader strategy that includes political, economic, and societal shifts to effectively tackle climate change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is quantum computing?
Quantum computing is a type of computing that uses quantum mechanics principles to process information in fundamentally different ways than traditional computers. Quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits), which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, allowing them to solve complex problems faster and more efficiently.
How can quantum computing help fight climate change?
Quantum computing can drive breakthroughs in areas like carbon capture, renewable energy optimization, and the development of low-carbon technologies. By simulating molecular structures and chemical reactions with unprecedented accuracy, quantum computers can help design more efficient materials, optimize energy grids, and accelerate innovations in sustainable energy.
Is quantum computing available for practical use today?
Quantum computing is still in the early stages of development. While there have been significant advancements, including progress in hardware and algorithms, commercial quantum computers capable of solving real-world problems are expected to be available within the next decade.
Why is quantum computing considered crucial for future climate solutions?
Quantum computing can provide solutions to problems that classical computers struggle with, such as simulating complex chemical processes or optimizing energy systems. Its ability to model molecular interactions at a detailed level could unlock new ways to reduce emissions, improve carbon capture technologies, and enhance the efficiency of renewable energy systems.
What challenges do quantum computers face?
Quantum computers face challenges related to qubit stability, error correction, and scalability. They also require specialized environments, such as extremely low temperatures, to function. Despite these challenges, advances in quantum technologies, such as photonics-based quantum computing, are helping to overcome many of these obstacles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, quantum computing represents a transformative tool with the potential to revolutionize industries and play a pivotal role in addressing climate change. By enabling breakthroughs in areas such as carbon capture, renewable energy optimization, and the development of sustainable materials, quantum technology could significantly accelerate efforts to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable future.