· The arrival of this new infrastructure, located in Torre Girona, is integrated into PaulNostrum 5, making it one of the first supercomputers in the world that combines classical computing and quantum both digital and analog
· With the development of the chip and software made entirely in Spain by Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, this third quantum computer maintains the commitment of the BSC-CNS, the Government of Spain and EuroHPC to achieve technological sovereignty with the installation of 100% European technology
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center-National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) today presented the third computer dedicated to quantum computing, the EuroQCS-Spain, co-financed with an investment of 9.8 million euros by the European Commission EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and the Government of Spain, through the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function, which contributes 4.8 million euros. Thanks to an analog encoding of the information, the new system provides a quantum technology complementary to that previously installed in the center and will be available to research personnel from all over Europe.
With this addition, installed in the remodeled chapel of Torre Girona, IllaNostrum 5 becomes one of the first supercomputers in the world to combine classical computing (with general-purpose partitions and accelerated) and digital and analog quantum computing (with the two quantum computers installed by the Quantum Spain project and the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence and the latter, respectively). For this, of the total investment, 8.5 million euros correspond to the installation of the machines - with a 50% cofinancing between EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and the Government of Spain - and the rest, to the integration, that is, the combination of the quantum machine with the classical infrastructure.
This new quantum system will be part of the European network of interconnected quantum computers in the infrastructure of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) which, to date, has acquired six quantum computers located throughout Europe, three of which (Poland, Czech Republic and Germany) have already been inaugurated. These technologies are key to the Quantum Europe Strategy, which seeks to make Europe a world leader in this field by 2030 and to consolidate Europe’s technological sovereignty, industrial competitiveness and security.
The new quantum computer was presented today, at an event held in the chapel of Torre Girona and was attended by Mateo Valero, Director of the BSC; Francesc Torres, magnificent rector of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC); María González Veracruz, Secretary of State for Digitization and Artificial Intelligence (SEDIA); Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities; Josep Oriol Escardia, Secretary General of Digital Intelligence, Catalonia.
The Secretary of State, María González Veracruz, stressed that “this quantum computer has been designed and developed in Europe, mainly in Spain, and puts us in an unimaginable position only five years ago: we no longer import technology, but we create it”. He also pointed out that it is an initiative that “is part of a broader plan, woven together between ministries, administrations, university and the European Commission, and it is what really makes this country strategy successful”. In addition, he stressed that this infrastructure “is open to the European research community, it is a sovereignty that transcends the digital and makes a difference by weaving alliances: moving forward together makes us stronger”.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, has assured that “the Euro QCS-Spain reinforces the message that Spain is prepared to lead, innovate and be protagonist of the technological future of Europe”. “It is proof that when there is political will, institutional coordination and scientific excellence, the projects materialize. Projects with 100% European technology and that contribute to our strategic autonomy”, he said.
100% European Technology
From the design of the chip to the programming of the software necessary for its use, the entire development process of the new quantum computer has been carried out by Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech -a company with state participation through the Spanish Society for Technological Transformation (SETT)-, in collaboration with Do It Now, having delegated only the physical manufacturing phase of the chip, made in Gothenburg, Sweden.
This new computer thus reaches a milestone for the Spanish and European technological ecosystem, and is a further step on the path of European technological sovereignty followed by EuroHPC and the BSC, aligning itself with the European Commission's strategy to reduce dependence on key infrastructures from third countries.
