Quantum Technologies and Edge Devices in Electrical Grids: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions
Abstract
In modern power systems, edge devices serve as local hubs that collect data, perform on-site computing, sense electrical parameters, execute control actions, and communicate with neighboring edge devices as part of the larger grid. However, as the number of monitored nodes and control loops grows, traditional edge devices face serious limits. They can become overloaded by complex signal processing and decision tasks, causing delays and higher energy use. Standard sensors hit a noise floor that prevents them from detecting miniature changes, making it harder to spot early signs of faults or instability. Meanwhile, conventional communication links struggle with bandwidth limits, security risks, and rising encryption demands, which together slow down and weaken the transfer of critical grid information. Quantum technologies have the potential to overcome these challenges. Quantum computers can deliver exponential speed-ups for optimization and machine-learning tasks that ordinary processors cannot handle. Quantum sensors can sense signals with atomic precision, giving edge devices a more precise view of grid dynamics. Quantum communication techniques, including quantum key distribution, offer methods to achieve information-theoretic security and ensure that information arrives quickly and without tampering. We explore how quantum technologies can be integrated into edge devices, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.
Authors 14
-
Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Energy Systems Engineering , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems , RWTH Aachen University , 52074 Aachen , Germany
-
Affiliation as printed
Communication and Distributed Systems , RWTH Aachen University , 52074 Aachen , Germany
-
Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Energy Systems Engineering , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems , RWTH Aachen University , 52074 Aachen , Germany
-
Affiliation as printed
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , Peter Grünberg Institute , Quantum Control (PGI -8) , 52425 Jülich , Germany
-
Nikolaus Wirtz Aachen Department of Digital Energy Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology
Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
Affiliation as printed
Department of Digital Energy , Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology , Aachen 52074 , Germany
-
Affiliation as printed
ICE-
-
Affiliation as printed
ICE-
-
Forschungszentrum Jülich · University of Cologne
Affiliation as printed
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , Peter Grünberg Institute , Quantum Control (PGI -8) , 52425 Jülich , Germany
Institute for Theoretical Physics , University of Cologne , 50937 Köln , Germany
-
Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Energy Systems Engineering , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems , RWTH Aachen University , 52074 Aachen , Germany
-
University of Münster · CeNTech
Affiliation as printed
Center for NanoTechnology -CeNTech , 48149 Münster , Germany
Department for Quantum Technology , University of Münster , 48149 Münster , Germany
-
Jülich Aachen Research Alliance
Affiliation as printed
ICE-
JARA-Energy , 52425 Jülich , Germany
-
Affiliation as printed
Communication and Distributed Systems , RWTH Aachen University , 52074 Aachen , Germany
-
Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation as printed
Energy Systems Engineering , Forschungszentrum Jülich , 52428 Jülich , Germany
Institute for Automation of Complex Power Systems , RWTH Aachen University , 52074 Aachen , Germany
Cited by 0 stored of 0
No patents citing this paper on Lens.org (checked 2026-10-06).