Next-Gen: Quantum Computing Takes on Environment

Created in 2022, Deloitte’s Quantum Climate Challenge is an annual global competition that aims to drive effective, climate-relevant collaborations between sustainability professionals and quantum computing enthusiasts. The initiative began to increase awareness of the role quantum computing can play in solving climate-related problems.

Over the course of six weeks, participants used innovative problem-solving to explore the potential of quantum computing to address critical, pressing climate change issues for the chance to win part of the prize pool.

Scott Buchholz is the government and public services chief technologies officer and quantum lead for Deloitte.

Digital Engineering: Can you tell us what’s on the horizon for this year’s challenge?

Scott Buchholz: This year’s challenge explores the potential of quantum computers in enhancing flood forecasting to improve climate resilience. As our climate becomes increasingly volatile, accurate forecasting of extreme weather events can be the difference between life and death. Participants will use quantum machine learning (QML) to predict flood risks for the Wupper River in Germany. Participants will include quantum enthusiasts, machine learning specialists and climate experts.

DE: Can you provide some examples of what the event has produced or what you expect it to produce?

Buchholz: Last year, participants investigated how quantum computers may help to improve materials used in direct air capture of carbon dioxide. The results produced by the teams either developed or improved an algorithm that efficiently and accurately calculates potential energy surface for chemical systems related to carbon dioxide capture using metal organic frameworks. Additionally, the teams produced a concept for quantum that may assist the improvement of [these] frameworks. Jurors included experts from AWS, IBM, Intel, Boehring Ingelheim, Evonik, BASF Chemovator, Verband der Chemischen Industrie and Quantagonia.

This year, we are challenging our participants with two tasks:

First, create an algorithm that uses current quantum hardware to create a QML model that assesses flood risks. However, we not only want to look at what is possible today but also what might be possible tomorrow.

Second, develop a concept for quantum or hybrid methods that may assist the improvement of flood prediction models on more advanced quantum computers. The objective is to extend lead times for advanced warnings and to enhance disaster preparedness.

DE: Does Deloitte have a particular stance on adopting an innovation that is linked to the program?

Buchholz: At Deloitte, we believe quantum computing is a transformative technology that can offer new possibilities and solutions for complex and urgent problems, such as climate change. We also recognize that quantum computing is a nascent and evolving field that requires collaboration and experimentation among diverse stakeholders and communities. Our goal is to support and enable the development of the proposed solutions for climate change by providing expertise, resources and connections needed for participants to deploy and scale their innovations.

DE: Anything else you’d like to tell us about the event?

Buchholz: The Quantum Climate Challenge is open to everyone, regardless of professional or skill level. To help accommodate different skill levels, we offer enablement sessions that provide provisions of data and additional guidelines. Additionally, we are collaborating with the major hardware providers in the field (NVIDIA, AWS, IBM and D-Wave) to offer introductory sessions as well as hardware access beyond typical public access. Apart from flexing your problem-solving skills, the challenge is a great way to use quantum for good while networking with experts in the industry!