In a technological leap forward, EPB Quantum℠ has announced the integration of hybrid computing capabilities into its quantum development platform, as revealed during the recent 2025 Quantum World Congress. This development is catalyzed through a collaboration with the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and encapsulated by the installation of an NVIDIA DGX system at the EPB Quantum Center℠ situated in Chattanooga, Tennessee. According to ORNL's report, this notable upgrade aims to reinforce EPB Quantum's stature as a comprehensive resource for quantum technologies applications in various sectors.
The Chattanooga facility, already on the map for hosting America's first commercially accessible quantum network, is preparing to commission IonQ's Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer in early 2026. EPB's CEO, David Wade, highlighted the significance of the collaboration by stating, per ORNL, "By making a comprehensive suite of quantum development resources accessible as a realworld platform for innovation, we're making it possible for entrepreneurs, industry leaders, national labs and universities to work side by side toward breakthroughs that can really make a difference for people and communities in the years ahead." Wade's enthusiasm underscores the practical implications of marrying quantum and classical computing systems under one establishment.
The hybrid system will be first employed in managing and optimising electric power grids, a pressing challenge within the energy sector. EPB, in concert with ORNL, will forge collaborations with NVIDIA and lonQ to enhance the efficacy and reliability of electricity distribution nationwide. Stephen Streiffer, ORNL Director, elucidated the past successes of their joint ventures, stating, as per ORNL, "From advancing grid automation to pioneering quantum-secure communication, our joint efforts have repeatedly moved technologies from concept to practical application."
Based on quantum and classical hardware, ORNL's research endeavors are set to transcend traditional computational limits. Sam Stanwyck, NVIDIA's Group Product Manager for quantum computing, captures the the project's sentiment: "NVIDIA's work with EPB, ORNL, and lonQ on this project is not only allowing us to glimpse this future but is also helping to build it," mapping the trajectory of scientific computing in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, as cited by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The project's outcomes, designed to be replicable, hold the potential for application across various energy systems in the United States. EPB's engagement with emerging quantum technologies, through its collection of EPB Quantum services, such as the EPB Quantum Network® and the forthcoming EPB Quantum Computing℠, remains at the forefront of harnessing quantum's transformative capabilities.
