LSU Researchers Awarded NSF Grant to Address Optimization in Infrastructure Systems
August 29, 2023
BATON ROUGE, LA – A team of LSU researchers from electrical and computer engineering
and physics was recently awarded nearly $500,000 from the National Science Foundation
for a project to develop quantum computing-inspired algorithms that will address optimization
problems appearing in various critical infrastructure systems, including power systems.
Examples of these problems include optimizing power flow, planning for transmission network expansion, diagnosing faults, and ensuring grid resilience. These issues are difficult for classical computers to solve efficiently and oftentimes require a significant amount of time and resources. Quantum computing’s unique ability to handle vast amounts of data simultaneously through quantum bits, or qubits, enables it to explore multiple potential solutions at the same time, potentially leading to exponential speedup in solving complex optimization problems.
Leading the project as principal investigator is Amin Kargarian, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. He is joined by co-principal investigators Ramachandran Vaidyanathan, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Omar Magana-Loaiza, associate professor of physics.
“Power system problems are incredibly important, as they directly impact our daily lives, ensuring a reliable electricity supply for our homes, businesses, and industries,” Kargarian said. “However, these problems, such as optimal power flow and renewable energy integration, are complex and time-consuming for traditional computers to solve efficiently, leading to higher costs and less reliable energy delivery.
“Quantum computing, with its exceptional computational power, offers a promising solution by quickly and accurately addressing these challenges. By leveraging quantum computers, we can achieve faster responses to changing energy demands; reduce operational costs; integrate renewable energy sources more effectively; and ultimately create a more stable, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy system, benefiting society as a whole.”
Kargarian added that he believes the work done on this project will advance understanding of quantum algorithms for optimization and revolutionize the way researchers approach and solve complex real-world problems in various domains.
It should be added that there is another member of the team, not officially listed on the grant, Kargarian’s Ph.D. student, Reza Mahroo. His technical contributions, Kargarian said, were invaluable in providing preliminary results and innovative ideas for the grant proposal.
One final component of the project involves educational and outreach activities with K-12 and college students. Kargarian said the team envisions several such activities, including partnering with local organizations focused on the success of underserved high school students and partnering with the Louisiana Art & Science Museum to show children concepts of quantum mechanics and physics.
Like us on Facebook (@lsuengineering) or follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@lsuengineering).
###
Contact: Joshua Duplechain
Director of Communications
225-578-5706
josh@lsu.edu
Latest College of Engineering News
- LSU ChE, SJA Students Study Breast Cancer in 3D EnvironmentOctober 24, 2022BATON ROUGE, LA - Though October is recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LSU faculty and students are working every month to help combat the potentially fatal disease that has been projected to affect nearly 340,000 Americans this year.
- Testing Backdate
- LSU Researchers Create Low-Cost Method to Recycle PlasticBATON ROUGE – LSU researchers have created a new, low-cost way to break down plastic, a potential breakthrough that could save billions of dollars and eliminate billions of tons of plastic pollution.
- CEE's Mohammad Appointed to Editorship of ASCE PublicationBATON ROUGE, LA - LSU Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Louay Mohammad has been selected to serve as co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering (JMCE), a publication of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
- LSU Construction Management Professor Developing Occupant-Centric Energy Management SystemBATON ROUGE, LA - Thermostat wars are not just limited to the home; they are also common in office environments and can result in negative outcomes like adversely affecting worker productivity and driving up energy costs unnecessarily.
- LSU Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Develops Software to Protect Offshore WindfarmsIn July 2023, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that it would hold the first-ever offshore wind energy lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. Since then, renewable energy companies have expressed interest in wind farming, with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management finalizing four Wind Energy Areas that could produce enough clean, renewable energy to power more than 3 million homes. However, with this rapid growth comes challenges, such as protecting these wind farms from hurricanes.