Quantum Computing Improves Energy Forecasting Accuracy

SYDNEY, Oct. 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) and Schneider Electric have advanced to Stage 2 of the Australian Government's Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP), which has provided the companies with A$3.6 million (US$2.5 million) in funding to continue their collaboration with UNSW Sydney. This significant advancement follows a notable improvement in forecasting accuracy, with SQC's Watermelon™ system achieving an average 20% increase in accuracy over a 12-month period. The results demonstrate the potential of quantum-enhanced AI to revolutionize energy forecasting, a crucial aspect of managing the complex and dynamic energy systems of the future.

During the initial stage of the CTCP partnership, SQC and Schneider Electric explored the capabilities of Watermelon, a quantum-enhanced AI chip, in enhancing the accuracy of Schneider Electric's existing forecasting models. By integrating Watermelon's quantum features with classical features, the team was able to develop more sophisticated and predictive models. This integration not only improved forecasting accuracy but also opened up new possibilities for leveraging quantum computing in practical applications.

The partnership's achievements have significant implications for energy management. By improving the accuracy of forecasts, companies like Schneider Electric can better manage distributed energy resources, such as rooftop solar, home batteries, and electric vehicles. These improvements are particularly valuable because they can lead to substantial cost savings for consumers and more efficient energy use across the system. The gains achieved in the initial stage were substantial, with some models showing up to a 41% improvement in accuracy, well surpassing the 20% threshold set as a goal for the CTCP program.

The Stage 2 funding will allow the companies to expand their work to hundreds of homes across Australia, integrating Watermelon into Schneider Electric's AI workflows. This expansion is expected to provide a clear pathway for the practical application of quantum computing in real-world scenarios. The partnership's success underscores the potential of quantum-enhanced AI to address the complex challenges faced by energy systems, including the integration of renewable energy sources and the management of distributed energy resources.

Launched in 2025, Watermelon is a quantum system that has been deployed with customers across various sectors, including telecommunications, banking, high-frequency trading, and more. The system is available via cloud and hardware sale, including turnkey data center deployment. With a workforce of 160,000 employees and one million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric is consistently ranked among the world's most sustainable companies.