SQC and Schneider move quantum energy forecasting into Stage 2

Silicon Quantum Computing and Schneider Electric moved their quantum-enhanced energy forecasting project into Stage 2 of Australia's Critical Technologies Challenge Program, receiving A$3.6 million in new funding. UNSW Sydney is also participating in the work.

During Stage 1, SQC's Watermelon system generated quantum features that were combined with classical inputs in Schneider Electric's next-day energy forecasting models. The partners reported an average 20 percent improvement in forecasting accuracy over their classical benchmark across 12 months of data, with gains reaching 41 percent in some cases. Stage 2 will expand the modelling to hundreds of Australian homes.

The reported improvement comes from the project partners and the published announcement does not provide enough benchmark detail for independent reproduction. The next phase therefore tests whether the result survives a larger, more operational setting rather than establishing a general quantum advantage.