How quantum computing can change the landscape for UK wind power
Globally, there is a growing emphasis on developing national energy systems that help tackle climate change, improve security of supply and provide more stable, lower energy prices.
Wind power will be at the heart of any solution in the UK. In 2024, for the first year ever, it was the largest source of electricity generation in the UK, accounting for 30% and by 2030, the ambitious target is to deploy up to 50GW of offshore wind power around the UK coast.
To successfully deploy this quantity of renewable technologies, assets such as offshore wind farms and the infrastructure that supports them, must be optimised. Such optimisation tasks are complex, hard to solve and represent an enduring computational challenge.
The power of quantum computing
Solving complex optimisation problems is a key area where quantum computing is anticipated to provide real benefits in the future. A recent proof-of-concept project funded by the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) has explored how these benefits might be achieved in practice in the renewable sector.
This project Consortium was led FrazerNash Consultancy, who leveraged their combined expertise in renewables and quantum technology, working collaboratively with partners: ORCA Computing, a leader in the field of photonic quantum computing and quantum-accelerated generative AI who contributed their expertise and domain know-how; The Crown Estate, who provided insight into the offshore wind energy industry in the UK; and The National Quantum Computing Centre who provided application support and quantum computing facilities.
Location, location, location
At the largest scales, the deployment of offshore wind needs to find the best locations for new wind farms around the UK coast and determine the shape they should be. This is a spatial optimisation problem, and the Consortium developed new techniques demonstrating that problems like this can be tackled with quantum computers. This is relevant, not only for offshore deployment modelling, but also for numerous other domains such as land use planning, facility layout, retailing and natural resource management.
Maximising energy production, ensuring economic viability
Zooming in on a single wind farm, optimising the locations of individual turbines is crucial for maximizing energy production and ensuring the economic viability of wind energy projects. The consortium developed a novel approach to this problem on quantum computers that integrates with industry-standard tools for modelling the interactions between wind turbines. This proof of concept demonstrates quantum solutions for wind farm layout at near-commercial levels of detail and opens up investigation into issues such as integration with existing workflows, benchmarking against classical solvers and resource estimation for full-scale solutions.
Optimising the logistics and maintenance of offshore wind deployments
Another fruitful area for quantum optimisation could be the logistics in the installation and maintenance of offshore wind deployments. While it is hoped that tackling such challenges lie within reach of near-term quantum computers, other applications will need fault tolerant quantum computers. These include improved materials science to design better turbines, as well as quantum simulation to enhance the understanding of turbine aerodynamics and improve wind and weather forecasting.
A quantum of solace
The UK is already a world leader in offshore wind, but by dealing with some of the sectors thorniest computational challenges, quantum computing can help maintain that position and boost UK competitiveness.
Realising the benefits of quantum computing requires trusted technical and offshore wind sector experts supporting and enabling quantum technology providers and operators. Ultimately, the value that quantum can bring to UK wind power is making our energy system work more efficiently, reducing the cost of energy bills, delivering environmental benefits and national energy security.
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techUK's latest sprint campaign is on Robotic & Automation technologies. Find out how to get involved by clicking here.
Running from September to November 2023, this campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies, bring more non-space companies into the sector, and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
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Running from January to May 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity took the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations was launched at The National Videogame Museum in November 2024.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
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Running from July to December 2024, this campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity took the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in 2025).
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
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Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
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- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
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