Infleqtion Advances $6.2M ARPA-E Quantum Grid Optimization Program

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Infleqtion has begun executing a $6.2 million contract with ARPA-E to develop quantum computing solutions poised to revolutionize energy grid optimization. This program – Enhancing Neutral-atom Computers for Optimizing Delivery of Energy (ENCODE) – marks the first Department of Energy project focused on applying quantum methods to improve grid efficiency, resilience, and scale, collaborating with Argonne National Laboratory, the National Laboratory of the Rockies, EPRI, and ComEd. As electricity demand surges with the rise of AI and electrification, Infleqtion’s approach aims to overcome the limitations of existing systems, having already demonstrated a 1,600 qubit array. “As the surge in power-intensive computing and new demands on domestic energy production push our infrastructure to its limits, securing the grid has become a matter of national capability,” said Matt Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion, highlighting the program’s significance for a stable and secure energy future. $6.2 Million ARPA-E ENCODE Project Advances Grid Optimization A new $6.2 million initiative from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) is pushing the boundaries of energy grid management through the application of quantum computing, spearheaded by Infleqtion. This isn’t simply about incremental improvements; the program aims to address a looming crisis in grid capacity as demands surge from electrification and the escalating power needs of artificial intelligence. Industry-standard optimization solvers, like Gurobi and CPLEX, have already generated billions of dollars in annual value, but are demonstrably reaching their limits. Infleqtion’s approach centers on a “full stack” advantage, integrating its neutral-atom processors with the Superstaq optimization layer. This end-to-end capability is crucial, as achieving quantum progress in the energy sector demands co-design across the entire computing infrastructure. The company has already demonstrated a significant milestone with a 1,600 qubit array, and recently achieved 12 logical qubits with error detection—a critical step towards fault-tolerant computing. Notably, this scalability is achieved without the massive energy consumption typically associated with traditional supercomputers. The platform operates on kilowatts of energy, a substantial advantage for sustainable implementation. This contract execution represents a continuation of Infleqtion’s 19-year history as a trusted partner to the U.S. government and its allies, boasting hundreds of successful contracts. Infleqtion designs and builds not only quantum computers, but also precision sensors and quantum software for a diverse range of clients, including governments, enterprises, and research institutions. The company’s commercial portfolio extends to quantum Radio Frequency (QRF) systems, quantum clocks, and inertial navigation solutions, positioning it as a leading provider of cutting-edge quantum capabilities. Infleqtion anticipates going public through a merger with Churchill Capital Corp X (NASDAQ: CCCX) in September 2025. Infleqtion’s 1,600 Qubit Neutral-Atom Processor Scalability Infleqtion is pushing the boundaries of quantum processing with a neutral-atom platform that recently achieved a significant milestone: a 1,600 qubit array. This isn’t simply about increasing qubit count; it’s about demonstrating a pathway to scalability without succumbing to the energy demands that plague many other quantum architectures. The company’s approach, leveraging neutral atoms, allows for dense packing of qubits, a critical factor in building processors capable of tackling complex problems. This focus on efficient scalability is particularly relevant as classical computing systems reach their limits in addressing increasingly complex challenges, especially within critical infrastructure. Infleqtion distinguishes itself through a “full stack” approach, controlling every layer of the quantum computing system. This end-to-end integration, encompassing neutral-atom processors and the Superstaq optimization layer, is designed to accelerate development in grid optimization. The company’s 19-year history as a supplier to the U.S. government and its allies provides a foundation of technical stability and a proven track record. The company is positioning itself as a key partner for both governmental and commercial entities seeking advanced quantum capabilities. The company designs and builds these systems “for governments, enterprises, and research institutions,” solidifying its role as a versatile provider of quantum solutions. We are grateful for ARPA-E’s leadership in prioritizing the use of quantum computing to solve the hyper-complex optimization problems facing modern power networks, ensuring a resilient national system that is truly equipped for the next decade of demand. Matt Kinsella, CEO of Infleqtion Superstaq Layer & 12 Logical Qubit Error Detection This isn’t simply about building more qubits; it’s about building reliable qubits, and Infleqtion has recently achieved a significant milestone: the demonstration of 12 logical qubits with error detection. This achievement represents a crucial step towards fault-tolerant computing, a necessity for tackling complex real-world problems. The pursuit of fault tolerance is paramount because even minor errors in quantum calculations can quickly cascade, rendering results meaningless. Traditional supercomputers require megawatt-scale energy consumption to achieve comparable computational power, but Infleqtion’s platform operates on kilowatts, offering a potentially transformative advantage. The implications for energy grid management are substantial. As electricity demand surges, driven by electrification and power-intensive AI, existing grid optimization tools are reaching their limits. While tools like Gurobi and CPLEX have provided significant value, they are struggling to keep pace with increasing complexity. The ENCODE program, a $6.2 million initiative with ARPA-E, aims to address this challenge by applying quantum-enhanced logic to improve the precision and speed of grid optimization. This statement underscores the strategic importance of the ENCODE project and Infleqtion’s role in bolstering national infrastructure resilience. government, with hundreds of successful contracts, further solidifies its position as a reliable partner in critical infrastructure development. Infleqtion’s work extends beyond this single contract, encompassing ongoing collaborations with national laboratories to support scalable quantum software and technologies.
Quantum Computing Partnership with National Labs & Government Infleqtion is solidifying its position as a key player in national security and energy infrastructure through deepened collaborations with U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories and agencies. This initiative marks the first quantum project within the department specifically focused on applying quantum-enhanced computation to revolutionize energy grid optimization, extending beyond theoretical research into practical application. The impetus for this collaboration stems from the increasing strain on existing energy grids. With 19 years of experience as a trusted supplier to the U.S. government and its allies, Infleqtion brings a proven track record to these partnerships. The company boasts hundreds of successful contracts, ensuring its solutions are built on a foundation of technical stability. Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260209954075/en/Infleqtion-Advances-ARPA-E-Quantum-Computing-Grid-Optimization-Program Tags:
