The IEEE QCE International Workshop on Quantum Computing for Power Systems: From Optimization Algorithms to Grid-Scale Applications
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
September 13th-18th, 2026

Quantum Computing for Power Systems: From Optimization Algorithms to Grid-Scale Applications

in conjunction with

The IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE 2026)

Toronto, September 13th - 18th, 2026

Topics of the Workshop

The workshop explores how quantum optimization, hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, and quantum machine learning are being applied to concrete power systems challenges, including unit commitment, grid scheduling, renewable integration, and fault detection, providing both theoretical grounding and a clear view of the technical requirements and barriers on the path toward practical deployment at grid scale.

The accelerating development of quantum hardware and algorithms has opened new opportunities for addressing longstanding computational challenges in electric power systems. Problems such as unit commitment, optimal power flow, economic dispatch, and grid fault detection involve combinatorial complexity and large-scale stochastic optimization that strain classical solvers, particularly as renewable penetration increases and grid topology grows more complex. Quantum computing offers a fundamentally different computational approach that may provide an advantage on exactly these classes of problems. 

This workshop brings together researchers and practitioners from academia, national laboratories, and industry to examine the current state of quantum computing as applied to power systems. Presentations draw on work from the National Laboratory of the Rockies, Kansas State University, the University of Delaware, and Quantinuum, offering perspectives from power systems engineering, algorithm development, and quantum hardware and software platforms. 

The workshop moves beyond the purely theoretical by grounding each technical theme in specific grid-relevant problem formulations and discussing the fidelity, qubit count, and circuit depth requirements needed to achieve practical advantage. Breakout sessions generate structured discussions around research priorities, open problems, and coordination opportunities. Participants leave with a concrete understanding of where quantum computing can make near-term contributions to power systems and what barriers remain.

In this workshop, the topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Quantum optimization for unit commitment and grid scheduling

• QAOA, VQE, and their variants applied to power system problems

• Hybrid quantum-classical methods for economic dispatch and optimal power flow

• Quantum machine learning for fault detection and grid monitoring

• Quantum approaches to inverter-based renewable resource integration

• Stochastic and large-scale optimization under high renewable penetration

• Hardware requirements for practical advantage: qubit count, gate fidelity, circuit depth

• Benchmarking methodology and open problems for grid-scale quantum applications

This is the first International Workshop on Quantum Computing for Power Systems organized at IEEE Quantum Week. It features invited talks from researchers across academia, national laboratories, and industry, structured breakout discussions, and a plenary synthesis session. Full programs, slides, and breakout session summaries will be posted following the event.

Workshop Objectives

Short-term objectives:

• Provide a technically rigorous survey of quantum computing methods applicable to power systems optimization and control problems.

• Identify the most promising near-term application areas given current hardware constraints in qubit count, gate fidelity, and circuit depth.

• Connect researchers working on quantum algorithms, quantum hardware, and power systems engineering in a structured, productive format.

Long-term objectives:

• Establish a standing working group on quantum computing for power systems, spanning academia, national laboratories, and industry.

• Develop and publish a community research roadmap identifying high-priority problems, required algorithmic advances, and near-term milestones.

Important Dates (anywhere on Earth)

• Early registration opens: April 14th, 2026 (see here)

• Late registration starts: August 4th, 2026

• Workshop: September 17th, 2026

Invited Speakers

Program (times are in EDT timezone)

Main program location: TBA

Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, Thursday, September 17th, 2026

Detailed program:

• 10:00AM – 11:30AM — Session 1

• 10:00AM – 10:40AM - Keynote: Yousu Chen, Chief Electrical Engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (30 min + 10 min Q&A)

• 10:45AM – 11:30AM - Breakout Topic 1: The Hard Problems in Power Systems

• 11:30AM – 1:00PM - Lunch break

• 1:00PM – 2:30PM — Session 2

• 1:00PM – 1:40PM - Keynote: Rima Kasia Oueid, Senior Commercialization Executive, Department of Energy (30 min + 10 min Q&A)

• 1:45PM – 2:30PM - Breakout Topic 2: From Theory to Practice: From Lab to the Field

• 2:30PM – 3:00PM - Coffee break

• 3:00PM – 4:30PM — Session 3

• 3:00PM – 3:40PM - Keynote: Harsha Nagarajan, Staff Scientist, Applied Mathematics & Plasma Physics, Los Alamos National Laboratory (30 min + 10 min Q&A)

• 3:45PM - Technical Talk 1: Kien Nguyen, University of Delaware

• 4:00PM - Technical Talk 2: TBD

• 4:15PM - Technical Talk 3: TBD

Submissions

This workshop does not solicit paper submissions. It is structured as a discussion and collaboration event, with invited presentations, breakout groups, and a plenary synthesis session. Participation is open to all IEEE Quantum Week 2026 registrants.

Organizers

For questions please contact the organizers at khoaluu@uark.edu.