Applications

Application / Energy

Quantum in Energy.

Batteries, fusion, and smarter grids for the next century.

The energy transition depends on chemistry (better batteries), plasma physics (fusion), and optimization (grids). All three sit inside quantum computing's core capabilities.

Fusion Plasma Is Quantum-Hard

Plasma dynamics at fusion temperatures push classical simulation to its absolute ceiling.

Why quantum, why now.

  • Battery chemistry is molecular simulation — a native quantum problem.
  • Fusion plasma dynamics push classical simulation to its limits.
  • Grid optimization with millions of variables benefits from quantum solvers.

Timeline — past and future.

What already happened, and what's next for quantum energy.

  1. 2019

    ExxonMobil signs on with IBM Quantum Network — first energy major.

  2. 2021

    PsiQuantum + Mercedes battery materials collaboration begins.

  3. 2022

    TotalEnergies launches quantum catalyst discovery program.

  4. 2024

    Multiple grid operators pilot quantum optimization in Japan and Europe.

  5. 2026Forecast

    First quantum-simulated battery cathode reaches lab prototype.

  6. 2028Forecast

    Fusion company reports quantum-assisted confinement optimization result.

  7. 2030Forecast

    Grid-scale battery designed on quantum hardware enters commercial production.

  8. 2040Forecast

    Room-temperature superconductor discovered — grid losses effectively vanish.

Where it hits.

Battery cathodes

Design lithium and solid-state cathodes with double the energy density.

Fusion plasma

Simulate confinement dynamics to accelerate the path to net-positive fusion.

Smart grids

Balance generation, demand, and storage in real time across a continent.

Hydrogen catalysts

Find cheap, non-precious-metal catalysts for green hydrogen production.

What's already happening.

  • IBM Quantum Network energy members: ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, BP, JSR.
  • PsiQuantum + Mercedes-Benz battery materials collaboration.
  • D-Wave used for grid optimization pilots in Japan.
  • Quantum chemistry pilots on catalyst discovery at BASF, Shell, TotalEnergies.

Companies in quantum energy.

Who's actually building here — hardware makers, industry partners, and pure-play startups.

ExxonMobil

First energy major to join IBM Quantum Network; heavy chemistry focus.

PsiQuantum

Battery materials partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

TotalEnergies

Multi-vendor quantum program spanning catalysts and CO₂ capture.

BP

Long-running quantum computing membership with IBM.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Public interest in quantum tools for plasma modeling.

Shell

Runs one of the earliest oil-major quantum chemistry pilots.

Ecosystem highlights

ExxonMobilTotalEnergiesBPPsiQuantumIBM
Time horizon

First narrow wins: 3–7 years for battery materials.

Interesting corners.

  • Energy majors are the largest patient capital source for quantum hardware — a fusion-timescale bet fits them naturally.
  • The most valuable near-term result is a better electrolyzer catalyst — worth $100B/year at scale.
  • Grid optimization has strong classical baselines (mixed-integer programming), so quantum has to beat state-of-the-art operations research.
  • Fusion is the hardest possible test — but even 1% simulation improvement moves the timeline meaningfully.
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