Speaker Interview: Marko Rancic, TotalEnergies

Marko Rancic, Head of Quantum Computing at TotalEnergies.

First Steps in Quantum

“I’ve always been fascinated by quantum computers and quantum mechanics in general,” says Marko Rancic. This early fascination led to a prolonged period of research in Serbia, Germany, and Switzerland, back “when quantum computing was still in the domain of conceptualization, without a clear domain of industrial application.” Since then, Rancic explains, much has changed: “Contemporary, Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum computing has bridged the gap between the devices which can be made in the lab and practical problems which can be solved with them.” With keen foresight, Marko recognised this trend early and has now found himself at the forefront of quantum computing research at one of the largest multi-energy companies in the world, TotalEnergies.

Doing Good in Energy: Quantum’s Promise

With pressure on to balance out energy supplies more effectively, much has been made of the opportunities surrounding quantum in this critical domain, specifically with regard to renewables and storage of their output. For Rancic, first and foremost when it comes to the good quantum computing can do in the energy sector is the use of its “vast computational power to allow for optimising charging stations for electric vehicles and delivery routes on an unprecedented scale.” He continues, “second would be applying quantum computing to problems in material design that would allow for the generation of solid-state batteries and more efficient solar panels.”

Tooling up to Tackle Climate Change: The Role of Quantum

Climate change looks set to be the defining societal challenge of our time. Calling for industry-wide innovation and the direction of significant resources at the development of viable solutions, every tool in the arsenal must be utilised – including, of course, quantum tech. “At TotalEnergies, we have pioneered a methodology for modelling carbon capture with quantum computers.” The application of this methodology is full of potential, Marko explains: “This will allow for quantum-computing-enabled design of the next generation of CO2 sorbents.” For industry watchers, this will no doubt be an area that is keenly monitored.

Quantum Advantage: Has it Arrived?

Despite the bullish outlook on quantum’s ability to deliver real value in the areas of renewables, energy storage, and the push to halt climate change, Rancic takes the opposite tack when it comes to the question of whether we are seeing quantum advantage in energy services. “We’re currently not seeing it,” he admits, but he strikes a note of positivity too: “We are expecting to see strong steps towards quantum advantage though, especially as a result of the emergence of more error robust quantum processors, such as those announced by IBM for the end of 2023.”

Building a Quantum Team: The Challenges

Ask any industry insider and they will tell you that finding the right talent sits towards the top-end of their priority list. A stubborn challenge, many say it is holding back progress across the sector. To Rancic, TotalEnergies is experiencing the same difficulty: “The current quantum computing market is quite understaffed. Finding skilled researchers and developers has presented an immense challenge for us.” What to do when faced with such a seemingly intractable problem? Take a different approach, of course. “This shortfall in the market is why we undertook the strategy of focusing on the development of strong in-house quantum computing competencies.” Only time will tell if this strategy pays off, but Marko and the team are certainly to be commended for tackling the challenge head on.

The Five-Year View: What Will Have Changed?

Rancic’s call on the five-year view is straightforward. The big change will be seen in “error mitigation and low-level quantum error correction.” Short but by no means unambitious, as he concludes, “this would allow us to reach quantum supremacy on real-world problems on a daily basis.” Bring on 2027.

Marko Rancic is Head of Quantum Computing at TotalEnergies will be providing the opening keynote at Quantum.Tech Europe on 20th September, Day 1 looking at: How Quantum Computing can be at the centre of your ESG strategies. Make sure you don't miss out from listening to Marko Rancic by registering for Quantum.Tech Europe here.