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Quantum Computing as a Catalyst for Microgrid Management: Enhancing Decentralized Energy Systems Through Innovative Computational Techniques

Minghong Liu, Mengke Liao, Ruilong Zhang, Xin Yuan, Zhaoqun Zhu, Zhi Wu

Sustainability, 2025

21 citations

Abstract

This paper introduces a groundbreaking framework for optimizing microgrid operations using the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA). The increasing integration of decentralized energy systems, characterized by their reliance on renewable energy sources, presents unique challenges, including the stochastic nature of energy supply-and-demand management. Our study leverages quantum computing to enhance the operational efficiency and resilience of microgrids, transcending the limitations of traditional computational methods. The proposed QAOA-based model formulates the microgrid scheduling problem as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem, suitable for quantum computation. This approach not only accommodates complex operational constraints—such as energy conservation, peak load management, and cost efficiency—but also dynamically adapts to the variability inherent in renewable energy sources. By encoding these constraints into a quantum-friendly Hamiltonian, QAOA facilitates a parallel exploration of multiple potential solutions, enhancing the probability of reaching an optimal solution within a feasible time frame. We validate our model through a comprehensive simulation using real-world data from a microgrid equipped with photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and energy storage units. The results demonstrate that QAOA outperforms conventional optimization techniques in terms of cost reduction, energy efficiency, and system reliability.…

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