US Air Force taps Eaton to build smarter defenses for power grid - Interesting Engineering

Eaton awarded U.S. Air Force project to apply quantum computing to strengthen electric grid resilience and security.Eaton Eaton, a U.S. power management company, has landed a $7 million contract from the U.S.

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop quantum computing tools aimed at protecting the nation’s electric grid from increasing cyber and physical threats. The company announced the two-year project on Thursday. Eaton will team up with Infleqtion and Pennsylvania State University to develop new quantum-powered ways to detect and respond to several grid failures at once. The research will use quantum computing, machine learning, and advanced visualization to help power operators spot vulnerabilities and handle disruptions. The goal is to make the grid more resilient as utilities deal with more severe weather, wildfires, cyberattacks, and other risks. Tackling a growing grid security challenge A key part of the project is solving what engineers call the contingency problem. This means analyzing countless possible operating conditions to find weak spots in the power grid before anything goes wrong. Current reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) require transmission systems to keep working after two failures in a row, a standard called N-2 planning. Eaton’s research aims to go further by looking at several failures happening at once, so operators can better understand all possible risks. The company plans to use its power management experience along with quantum computing’s strength in handling complex calculations. By using a mix of quantum and classical computing, the company hopes to find grid vulnerabilities faster and more accurately, and suggest better responses.More from MilitarySee AllMilitaryHII signs $900 million robotics deal to modernize U.S. Navy shipbuildingMilitary670-ton Falaj 3 carries warship-level firepower in compact patrol vesselMilitaryBoeing’s Ghost Bat drone flies multiple sorties to show deployment readinessMilitary41,000-ton Trump-class nuclear warship program may top $275B, lead ship at $23BMilitaryFrom stealth aircraft to spy satellites: 7 secret Cold War programs shaped today’s military tech “We’re facing unprecedented risks to electric reliability and security from extreme weather, wildfires, physical and cyber threats, and need tools that consider many failures at once,” stressed Sid Suryanarayanan, senior chief engineer, strategic partnerships and innovation at Eaton. “This AFRL-funded project pairs Eaton’s grid expertise with quantum and machine learning methods to bring faster awareness and more actionable control to critical energy systems.” Quantum and machine learning join forces The project brings together experts from several organizations. Infleqtion will supply specialized quantum hardware, and researchers at Pennsylvania State University will contribute advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence skills.

The team will work together to create new quantum algorithms, improve circuits for hybrid quantum-classical computing, and test them on different quantum hardware. They will also try to reduce computational errors, which is one of the main technical challenges for today’s quantum computers. The goal is to create practical tools that utilities can eventually use to improve infrastructure planning, support daily grid operations, and strengthen emergency response during major disruptions. Demonstration planned after two-year project As part of the AFRL-funded effort, the research team will produce a proof-of-concept demonstration showing how existing quantum hardware, combined with newly developed algorithms and machine learning techniques, can address real-world electric grid challenges. The demonstration is expected to highlight how quantum-enabled technologies could help operators visualize complex grid conditions, evaluate multiple threat scenarios, and make faster operational decisions during emergencies. “At Eaton, we’re delivering next-generation solutions for intelligent power management that benefit critical infrastructure through our world-class engineering capabilities and our comprehensive approach to research and development,” said Dr. Christopher A. Herbst, vice president, strategic partnerships and innovation at Eaton. “This research will enhance infrastructure planning, daily operations and emergency preparedness, bringing unprecedented awareness, anticipation and response to strengthen infrastructure.” Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTSubscribe toToday!Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore Now!BySujita SinhaA versatile writer, Sujita has worked with Mashable Middle East and News Daily 24. When she isn't writing, you can find her glued to the latest web series and movies.TRENDINGLATEST1China's major renewable power project could reshape its energy landscape, desert ecosystems241,000-ton Trump-class nuclear warship program may top $275B, lead ship at $23B3Three nuclear firms explore recycled materials as fuel for next-generation reactors4US nuclear startup achieves first reactor criticality in under one year at Texas site5One-mile underground nuclear reactor wins DOE safety approval for commercial pilotEaton awarded U.S. Air Force project to apply quantum computing to strengthen electric grid resilience and security.Eaton Eaton, a U.S. power management company, has landed a $7 million contract from the U.S.

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop quantum computing tools aimed at protecting the nation’s electric grid from increasing cyber and physical threats. The company announced the two-year project on Thursday. Eaton will team up with Infleqtion and Pennsylvania State University to develop new quantum-powered ways to detect and respond to several grid failures at once. The research will use quantum computing, machine learning, and advanced visualization to help power operators spot vulnerabilities and handle disruptions. The goal is to make the grid more resilient as utilities deal with more severe weather, wildfires, cyberattacks, and other risks. Tackling a growing grid security challenge A key part of the project is solving what engineers call the contingency problem. This means analyzing countless possible operating conditions to find weak spots in the power grid before anything goes wrong. Current reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) require transmission systems to keep working after two failures in a row, a standard called N-2 planning. Eaton’s research aims to go further by looking at several failures happening at once, so operators can better understand all possible risks. The company plans to use its power management experience along with quantum computing’s strength in handling complex calculations. By using a mix of quantum and classical computing, the company hopes to find grid vulnerabilities faster and more accurately, and suggest better responses.More from MilitarySee AllMilitaryHII signs $900 million robotics deal to modernize U.S. Navy shipbuildingMilitary670-ton Falaj 3 carries warship-level firepower in compact patrol vesselMilitaryBoeing’s Ghost Bat drone flies multiple sorties to show deployment readinessMilitary41,000-ton Trump-class nuclear warship program may top $275B, lead ship at $23BMilitaryFrom stealth aircraft to spy satellites: 7 secret Cold War programs shaped today’s military tech “We’re facing unprecedented risks to electric reliability and security from extreme weather, wildfires, physical and cyber threats, and need tools that consider many failures at once,” stressed Sid Suryanarayanan, senior chief engineer, strategic partnerships and innovation at Eaton. “This AFRL-funded project pairs Eaton’s grid expertise with quantum and machine learning methods to bring faster awareness and more actionable control to critical energy systems.” Quantum and machine learning join forces The project brings together experts from several organizations. Infleqtion will supply specialized quantum hardware, and researchers at Pennsylvania State University will contribute advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence skills.

The team will work together to create new quantum algorithms, improve circuits for hybrid quantum-classical computing, and test them on different quantum hardware. They will also try to reduce computational errors, which is one of the main technical challenges for today’s quantum computers. The goal is to create practical tools that utilities can eventually use to improve infrastructure planning, support daily grid operations, and strengthen emergency response during major disruptions. Demonstration planned after two-year project As part of the AFRL-funded effort, the research team will produce a proof-of-concept demonstration showing how existing quantum hardware, combined with newly developed algorithms and machine learning techniques, can address real-world electric grid challenges. The demonstration is expected to highlight how quantum-enabled technologies could help operators visualize complex grid conditions, evaluate multiple threat scenarios, and make faster operational decisions during emergencies. “At Eaton, we’re delivering next-generation solutions for intelligent power management that benefit critical infrastructure through our world-class engineering capabilities and our comprehensive approach to research and development,” said Dr. Christopher A. Herbst, vice president, strategic partnerships and innovation at Eaton. “This research will enhance infrastructure planning, daily operations and emergency preparedness, bringing unprecedented awareness, anticipation and response to strengthen infrastructure.” Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTSubscribe toToday!Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore Now!BySujita SinhaA versatile writer, Sujita has worked with Mashable Middle East and News Daily 24. When she isn't writing, you can find her glued to the latest web series and movies.TRENDINGLATEST1China's major renewable power project could reshape its energy landscape, desert ecosystems241,000-ton Trump-class nuclear warship program may top $275B, lead ship at $23B3Three nuclear firms explore recycled materials as fuel for next-generation reactors4US nuclear startup achieves first reactor criticality in under one year at Texas site5One-mile underground nuclear reactor wins DOE safety approval for commercial pilot