EPB’s new IonQ Forte Enterprise Quantum Computer opens doors for cutting-edge work

EPB commemorated the launch of its IonQ Forte enterprise quantum computer Friday.

EPB says quantum computers are able to solve problems today's classical computers can't address—and that quantum infrastructure will give local businesses and researchers access to commercial resources to explore different applications of the technology.

Before the unveiling of the computer, today's event featured remarks from Mayor Tim Kelly and Weston Wamp, as well as leaders from EPB and IonQ.

EPB CEO Janet Rehberg says, for the first time, they are bringing commercial quantum computing and networking together under one roof at the EPB Quantum Center.

“Local businesses, every business has some kind of optimization problem … We want them to explore opportunities on how quantum computing can help them solve their industry challenge today … and that's rare that it starts from a municipal utility or public power, and so that gives them a really unique asset here in Chattanooga that their business can take advantage of.”

Rehberg says they even have plans to use quantum computing to optimize EPB's electrical grid.

Researchers at UTC will be the first to access these resources.

EPB's quantum center will be open for business in early October.