Application of Adiabatic Quantum Computing in Power Grid Optimization

Abstract

In addressing the complexity and real-time demands of modern grid optimization in quantum technology, advancements in computing and other fields have provided new avenues for meeting these needs. This article proposes a structured hybrid quantum-classical framework that uses adiabatic quantum computing to plan the operation of large-scale power networks. A large number of experiments were conducted on benchmark power system cases with 14 to 300 nodes, including various topologies and random operating conditions. The aforementioned method first performs preprocessing and problem partitioning. Then, using spatial and temporal partitioning schemes, the most difficult subproblems are assigned to quantum subroutines. The results show that compared to the state-of-the-art traditional algorithms, the hybrid method has a constraint violation rate of less than 0.03 in all test cases, an average operational cost reduction of 6%, and energy savings of 18%. Runtime evaluation shows that the hybrid solver outperforms pure classical and purely quantum methods, and the computation time exhibits sublinear scaling as the grid size increases. The structure can be flexibly adjusted and can still function normally in emergencies, even if parameters and resources are modified or the topology changes. Research indicates that combining adiabatic quantum computing with hybrid optimization systems can enhance the system's scalability, solution quality, and computational efficiency. This method is currently being applied to the construction of new smart grids.