Utilities (public services and critical infrastructure)4 Quantum tools could make utilities safer, smarter and more efficient, from grid security and pricing to leak detection and heat-network design. 4.1 Electricity and gas 4.2 Water and wastewaterAs smart grids become more digital and interconnected, they become vulnerable to cyberattacks. The advent of large-scale quantum computers poses a specific threat to standard RSA encryption used in SCADA systems and smart meters (“harvest now, decrypt later”). Multiple entities are piloting QKD over existing fibre optic lines to secure critical data transmission between substations. Smart meter security QKD is also being explored to secure the communication between smart meters and the utility, ensuring customer privacy and preventing data manipulation.Customer churn and dynamic pricing Retail energy providers operate in increasingly competitive markets. Pricing and retention decisions depend on granular consumption data, customer segmentation and fast-changing wholesale conditions. Quantum machine learning is being applied to customer data to predict churn with higher accuracy. Dynamic pricing Quantum algorithms can optimize dynamic pricing models in real-time. By analysing market conditions, grid load and customer elasticity simultaneously, utilities can set prices that incentivize load shifting (demand response) while maximizing revenue. The water sector is increasingly adopting quantum technologies for network management, leak detection and treatment efficiency. Water distribution network (WDN) optimization WDNs are complex graphs where operators must optimize pressure and flow to minimize leakage and energy use (pumping costs). A hybrid quantum- classical approach was tested for water-network optimization: classical simulation estimated network states, while quantum solvers searched valve settings that improved performance under constraints. Although still proof-of-concept, it suggests these hybrid workflows could better tackle the non-linear hydraulic maths that makes large networks hard to optimize.Leak detection via quantum sensing Leaks in underground pipes are a major source of water loss and are notoriously hard to locate. Quantum gravimeters and sensors can detect the micro-changes in density caused by water voids or saturated soil around a leak. This non-invasive technique allows for precise localization of leaks without excavation. Wastewater treatment optimization Aeration is the most energy-intensive part of wastewater treatment, accounting for a significant portion of a plant’s energy bill. Optimizing the airflow to biological reactors is a complex control problem involving biological dynamics and variable influent rates. Startups like Quantum Mads are Utilities are the interface between the energy system and the end consumer. Their focus is on service reliability, efficiency, customer engagement and the management of water and thermal networks. Quantum for Energy and Utilities: Key Opportunities for Energy Transition 29

Quantum for Energy and Utilities 2026