JIJ Europe Ltd., the UK subsidiary of JIJ Inc., has commenced a collaborative project with ORCA Computing, bp, and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) under the SparQ programme. The consortium aims to validate a quantum–classical hybrid optimization workflow for the Unit Commitment problem, a core challenge in the energy sector involving the start-up and shut-down scheduling of power generators to meet demand at minimal cost. This project utilizes operational data to address the interdependent constraints and discrete decisions inherent in large-scale electricity system planning.
The technical framework employs a hybrid decomposition method developed by JIJ for Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulations. This method breaks large-scale optimization horizons into smaller subproblems, which are converted into quantum circuits and executed on ORCA Computing’s photonic quantum computing system. The photonic architecture utilizes non-classical statistics to sample solution landscapes, providing a mechanism to explore optimization tasks in ways that classical heuristics cannot. The results are then recomposed into a global plan, demonstrating a scalable pathway for applying quantum computation to industrial energy planning.
The project utilizes an ORCA testbed installed at the NQCC, featuring a rack-mounted architecture with multiple photonic sources. This collaboration builds upon a previous strategic partnership between JIJ Inc. and ORCA Computing focused on the development of integrated quantum hardware and software for optimization. By leveraging the ORCA system’s software development kit (SDK) and JIJ’s optimization software, the partners are identifying technical milestones required for the transition of hybrid quantum–classical workflows into production-level energy operations.
For full details on the SparQ project and the technical workflow, consult the official JIJ Inc. announcement here, and see our previous coverage on the JIJ and ORCA Computing strategic partnership here.
March 11, 2026
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