ComEd Working To Prepare A Grid For The Quantum Center Arrival
ComEd Working To Prepare A Grid For The Quantum Center Arrival
By Tia Carol Jones
As development begins on the Illinois Quantum Microelectronics Park (IQMP), ComEd is working to ensure the local electric grid will be able to support the computing center and its existing customers.
In late July of 2024, it was announced that the former U.S. Steel South Works site would be the location of the Illinois Quantum Microelectronics Park.
David Alvarez is ComEd’s manager of project execution. Alvarez said ComEd has been doing a record amount of investment in its infrastructure to prepare the northern Illinois electric grid for the Illinois Quantum Microelectronics Park. He said the investments have helped the grid deliver some of the most reliable power in the nation.
He added that ComEd has been doing engineering projects for state-of-the-art business campuses and works to maintain its system day-in and day-out to support the needs of its customers and communities as those needs evolve. He said that ComEd is committed to developing plans that uphold industry-leading reliability.
“This project and PsiQuantum, who is the anchor tenant of the IQMP, it’s been mentioned by them that our involvement is critical to the early stages of this project,” he said.
Alvarez noted that PsiQuantum’s choice to be located in Chicago at the IQMP is a signal that PsiQuantum and the quantum computing industry has confidence in the reliability in the ComEd power grid, as well as clean energy access.
Alvarez said that ComEd is in the detailed engineering phase and it is looking to construct a new electric service station next year, as well as other enhancements to the grid that will be tailored to PSiQuantum and IQMP and its unique needs. The station will be located within a parcel bound by 87th and 89th north and south, Mackinaw and Lake Shore Drive west and east. Existing lines located at the State Line station will also be used to serve the IQMP site.
Alvarez described the electric grid as an electric system, which is a network of power plants, substations, transmission lines, distribution lines, distribution systems, equipment and other facilities that deliver electricity from various generation sources to homes, businesses, commercial and industrial facilities, like the IQMP.
“This system is well-balanced. It’s a balance between supply and demand in real time and it ensures that we have safe and reliable delivery of power across millions of our residential customers, commercial and industrial customers as well,” he said, adding that while ComEd is only in Northern Illinois, it is one of the most reliable electricity providers in the nation.
Alvarez said that quantum computing requires massive amounts of stable and clean energy. ComEd’s upgrades will make the quantum computing center home to the largest utility scale quantum computer in the world. He said that ComEd is proud to play a role in supporting the breakthroughs that will happen at IQMP. He said the project and support ComEd is giving to the IQMP will position Illinois as a hub for global innovation.
For more information about the IQMP, visit www.iqmp.org. For more information about ComEd, visit www.comed.com.
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