Quantum Computing and Geothermal.

The discovery, production, transportation, and consumption of energy impact nearly every aspect of society, and an attempt to meet the world’s ever-evolving energy needs has driven unprecedented levels of technological innovations. Hence, the energy sector will likely be among the first beneficiaries of the impending “quantum revolution”, as emerging Quantum Computing-enhanced technologies may be applied to ensure the safe, secure, and efficient use of energy resources.

The idea of quantum computing was first put forward by Russian mathematician Yuri Manin in 1980, whereas Richard Feynman independently proposed the quantum computer concept in 1981. Feynman realized that simulating quantum dynamics becomes impossible on classical computers beyond a certain simulated system size because of the exponential growth in the computational resources required. Feynman, in advocating for quantum computer development, observed that “Nature isn’t classical and if you want to make a simulation of Nature, you’d better make it quantum mechanical, and by golly, it’s a wonderful problem, because it doesn’t look so easy.” In 1985, David Deutsch showed that quantum computers might have computational powers exceeding those of classical computers.

Quantum computing is so unlike current computing. It requires some effort to understand the differences and the basics of quantum mechanics that have been harnessed for quantum computing to function. There are several ways to create quantum objects and several types of quantum computers (either already in use or still in the design stage).

Unlike simple calculations, which classical computers do at incredible speed, quantum computers leverage the entangled state of quantum objects to consider the entangled relationships allowing for logarithmically more calculations, without using lots of parallel processors. Rather than hundreds of years for a complex calculation, the probable answer can be determined in minutes.

My thoughts on Quantum Computing and Geothermal.

?????????????Close Drilling Locations

Geothermal exploration is done using massive amounts of data and complex algorithms. There is so much data collected that goes unused due to the amount of computing resources required for the analysis. Quantum computers can handle analysis which would take a classical system year to evaluate. Faster and more accurate calculations lower the number of unused boreholes, lower costs, and increase energy availability.

?????????????Close Extraction Optimization

Once a geothermal resource has been located, it must be extracted for use. Small differences in geologic makeup can drastically affect the cost and time necessary to extract these resources. In some situations, the extraction may be more expensive than the resource being extracted. Only through analyzing massive datasets, and optimization of the process can this be properly determined before the extraction begins. Quantum computing allows for the ability to handle the datasets, and the speed to make quick and accurate decisions.

References.

1. QUANTUM COMPUTING FOR EVERYONE (THE MIT PRESS) 2019

2. DANCING WITH QUBITS: HOW QUANTUM COMPUTING WORKS AND HOW IT CAN CHANGE THE WORLD (PACKT PUBLISHING) 2019

3. QUANTUM COMPUTING: AN APPLIED APPROACH (SPRINGER) 2019