Infleqtion Advances ARPA-E Quantum Computing Grid Optimization Program

Infleqtion has executed its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. The action formally launches development under its $6.2 million Enhancing Neutral-atom Computers for Optimizing Delivery of Energy project. The program includes key collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory, the National Laboratory of the Rockies, EPRI, and ComEd. It is the first quantum project for the department focusing on advancing the application of quantum-enhanced computational methods to energy grid optimization. Electricity demand is rising due to rapid electrification and power-intensive AI computing. Grid operators face optimization challenges that exceed the capacity of classical systems such as Gurobi and CPLEX. Infleqtion's end-to-end capabilities include neutral-atom processors and the Superstaq optimization layer. The company has demonstrated a 1,600 qubit array and operates on kilowatts of energy. It recently achieved 12 logical qubits with error detection. Matt Kinsella, chief executive of Infleqtion, said that securing the grid has become a matter of national capability as power-intensive computing and new demands on domestic energy production push infrastructure to its limits. The company has a 19-year history as a trusted supplier to the U.S. government and its allies.