The Limits of Quantum Computers for Power Flow

BibTeX

@misc{khanpour_limits_2026,
      title={{The Limits of Quantum Computers for Power Flow}},
      author={Cameron Khanpour and Samuel Talkington},
      year={2026},
      howpublished={submitted},
      eprint={2607.19263},
      archivePrefix={arXiv},
      primaryClass={quant-ph}
}

Abstract

This letter proves realistic grid properties limit the applicability of quantum computers for power flow. Grids that split into two large regions meeting at only a few buses, common in transmission networks, force the pseudo condition number of the DC susceptance matrix to grow polynomially in the network size, and long chains of lines bridging such regions force quadratic growth, making recent empirical observations rigorous. The bounds also hold with overwhelming probability for arbitrary bounded random line susceptances. Combined with query and tomography lower bounds, this precludes end-to-end quantum advantage for DC power flow at every readout level, and these obstructions persist through AC power flow, optimal power flow, and unit commitment. All proofs are formally verified with accompanying Lean 4 source code.

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