Basque Country Quantum Center: Quantum Tower and IBM System Two

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El Quantum center of Euskadi in Donostia It has become one of the most ambitious technological projects in southern Europe. In a very short time, the region has launched two key infrastructures: the CIC nanoGUNE Quantum Tower, focused on quantum hardware in silicon, and the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Centerwhere the first active IBM Quantum System Two in Europe operates. It is not simply a showcase, but a long-term commitment to position the Basque Country at the forefront of quantum technologies, building a real ecosystem: cutting-edge laboratoriesspecialized talent and companies.

Behind these facilities there is a coordinated strategy of the Basque Government and the provincial councils, grouped under the initiative BasQ – Basque Quantumwhich seeks to create an international quantum hub connected to industry, academia, and major global technology players. The goal is to build a true ecosystem: cutting-edge laboratories, specialized talent, technology companies, agreements with multinationals like IBM and Quantum Motion, and a clear vision extending to 2030 and beyond.

The Quantum Tower of CIC nanoGUNE: quantum chips in silicon “made in Euskadi”

The call CIC nanoGUNE Quantum Tower It is one of the most unique pieces of the Basque quantum map. This infrastructure, inaugurated by Lehendakari Imanol Pradales, is designed for the development of quantum hardware based on silicon technology, taking advantage of the vast experience of the semiconductor industry that already manufactures microprocessors for computers, mobile phones or vehicles.

At the inauguration, the Lehendakari stressed that nanoGUNE's positioning in nanoscience allows it to give a “giant leap” towards quantum computers with their own stamp in the Basque Country. He spoke of a “bridge to the future,” without absolute guarantees but with serious expectations in fields such as new medicines, advanced cancer detection systems, sustainable materials, cybersecurity, and natural disaster prediction. He also insisted that it is a step towards the strategic sovereignty in an area where Europe is heavily dependent on the United States and China.

nanoGUNE's new facilities house the Quantum Hardware groupLed by Ikerbasque researcher Fernando González Zalba, this team works closely with the British company Quantum Motion, considered a pioneer in quantum computing with silicon spins. The common goal is to develop quantum processors using semiconductor technologies compatible with current industrial manufacturingThis would facilitate large-scale production in the future. Furthermore, the focus on quantum hardware It reflects the interest in different technological approaches within the sector.

One of the star features of the Quantum Tower is its ultra-low temperature dilution refrigeratorsThese devices are capable of reaching temperatures of around 10 millikelvin, even lower than those of interstellar space. In this extreme regime, thermal noise is reduced to a minimum and quantum effects emerge clearly, something essential for [the following]. measure, manipulate and control silicon-based qubits with the necessary precision.

As González Zalba explained, these refrigerators allow for the development quantum computers that will use chips manufactured with the same current industrial technology of semiconductors. By leveraging existing infrastructure, silicon quantum processor technologies are poised to be especially promising, because they can rely on already mature production chains rather than depend on exotic solutions that are difficult to scale.

Quantum Motion and the European dimension of the project

The presence of Quantum Motion at the Quantum Tower This is not anecdotal. It stems from a collaboration agreement signed with CIC nanoGUNE in June 2024, thanks to which the company has opened a store in Donostia/San Sebastián. its first headquarters in the European UnionThis decision reinforces the Basque Country's aspiration to become a a hub for companies in the European quantum industry.

The plan anticipates that, in the coming years, the group working on the Quantum Tower will incorporate at least fifty highly qualified professionalsWe're talking about top-level profiles, from quantum physicists and cryogenics experts to precision electronics engineers and chip design specialists. All this talent will enrich the BasQ ecosystem and the network of advanced research and industrial centers in the area; having a quantum talent pool capable of driving projects forward.

James Palles-Dimmock, CEO of Quantum Motion, has emphasized that the company's European expansion demonstrates a strong commitment to international alliancesAccording to them, the infrastructure of the Quantum Tower and the collaboration with the Basque Government, the academic community, and the CIC nanoGUNE team give them a significant advantage. to develop commercially useful large-scale silicon quantum spin systems.

Underlying this is the idea that, if quantum computing in silicon can be successfully implemented with a good fidelity rate and scalability, the Basque Country could play a relevant role in a global technological competition where major powers and industrial giants are positioning themselves. The project, therefore, is not limited to an advanced laboratory: it is conceived as the embryo of a future quantum industry.

CIC nanoGUNE also has a clear mission: to drive Excellent research in nanoscience and nanotechnology with a direct impact on business competitiveness and the economic development of the Basque Country. It is part of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and has been recognized as a María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence by the State Research Agency, a seal that guarantees the quality of its scientific work.

BasQ – Basque Quantum: the strategy for a global quantum hub

The Basque quantum approach is articulated through BasQ – Basque QuantumThis initiative, led by the Department of Science, Universities and Innovation of the Basque Government in collaboration with the provincial councils of Álava, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, has a clear stated purpose: to position the Basque Country as one of the most relevant quantum hubs in the worldbuilding a robust ecosystem of research, talent and innovation.

BasQ builds on the existing strengths of the Basque Country in areas such as quantum technologies and other enabling technologies (artificial intelligence, advanced materials, supercomputing, etc.). The ambition is to create a leading environment for Research, Talent, and Innovation with sufficient critical mass and strong international connections. The ultimate goal is to transform the region into a focal point for top-level researchers and for high value-added business projects.

This same strategic approach also includes the IKUR 2030 visionwhere quantum computing appears as one of the priority scientific areas, along with neuroscience, neutronics, and artificial intelligence. This long-term vision translates into sustained investments, agreements with major technology partners, and specific training programs to create a local quantum talent pool.

The BasQ strategy is not limited to installing a quantum computer or erecting a landmark building. It aims to consolidate a comprehensive ecosystem that combines cutting-edge science, knowledge transfer and business developmentThis involves both the creation of infrastructure and the definition of research projects applied to strategic sectors: energy, biomedicine, advanced industry, cybersecurity or artificial intelligence, among others.

Lehendakari Pradales has repeatedly emphasized that this commitment is, above all, a way of to gain competitiveness and development as a countryBasQ should serve as a “driving vehicle” to attract knowledge, connect with other international quantum hubs and leverage European investments in infrastructure and key technologies for the reindustrialization and resilience of the continent.

The IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Center and the IBM Quantum System Two

The other major component of the Basque Country's quantum center is the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Centerwhich houses the first operational IBM Quantum System Two in Europe and the second installed outside the United States. This system is located in the new Ikerbasque building in Donostia/San Sebastián and represents a Technological milestone in the collaboration between the Basque Government and IBM.

The IBM Quantum System Two is not simply a new version of a quantum computer; it is a modular architecture designed to scale in number of qubits and complexityThe system installed in the Basque Country incorporates a 156-qubit IBM Quantum Heron processor, one of the company's highest-performing processors to date, and is designed to integrate several additional processors in the future. This deployment is part of IBM's global efforts, which are explained in events and analyses such as IBM's initiatives on quantum computing.

Today, the system operates at approximately 25% of its planned capacityThis is not considered a limitation, but rather a normal start-up phase, in which more projects, algorithms, and industrial applications are gradually deployed. The roadmap points to increasingly intensive use in the coming years, with the goal of implementing “use-scale” algorithms that surpass what can be simulated with classical computing.

The center's inauguration brought together a broad institutional and scientific representation: the Lehendakari (President of the Basque Government), IBM executives such as Jay Gambetta (Vice President of IBM Quantum and Director of IBM Research), the President of IBM Spain, Horacio Morell, members of the Basque Government, provincial councilors from the three historical territories, and local authorities, as well as research and business personnel. This institutional support reinforces the idea that the project is a national bet.

IBM emphasizes that the main objective is for quantum computing to cease being a laboratory curiosity and become a reality. a tool for solving real problems for companies and institutionsThe Basque center is integrated into IBM's global network of quantum systems, contributing computational capacity and participating in joint developments of algorithms, hybrid (quantum-classical) models and new applications.

What is a qubit and why is this center different from a classic supercomputer?

To understand why there is so much talk about the quantum center of Euskadi, it is worth taking a closer look at the concept of qubitthe fundamental unit of quantum information. While traditional computers work with bits that can only take the values ​​0 or 1, qubits can be found in state overlapThat is, in combinations of 0 and 1 at the same time, with different probabilities.

In addition, several qubits may be quantumly entangledThis generates very strong correlations between them, impossible to explain with classical intuition. These properties allow a quantum computer to explore enormous sets of possibilities differently than a conventional computer, although that doesn't mean it is inherently "better" at all tasks.

In fact, quantum computing shines brightest in problems where the number of combinations grows explosivelysuch as certain chemical simulations or some optimization problems. In these cases, classical machines, even supercomputers, encounter practical limitations of time and memory, while quantum algorithms promise significant potential advantages.

The IBM Quantum System Two in San Sebastián makes a difference compared to traditional supercomputing centers because It is specifically designed to run next-generation quantum algorithms, integrable into hybrid workflows. The classical computer does not disappear from the equation: it is complemented by the quantum computer, which takes care of the parts of the problem where its particular physics offers an advantage.

It is important to be clear, however, that current qubits are extremely sensitive to noise and external disturbancesTherefore, they require cooling at temperatures close to absolute zero, vibration isolation, extremely precise electronic control, and highly specialized technical equipment. This fragility explains why quantum computing is still in its infancy and why there is so much talk about error correction and scalability.

Current and potential applications of quantum computing

Although the technology is still in its early stages, there are already areas where quantum computing shows clear potentialOne of the most important is the simulation of physical and chemical systems, where quantum physics is the rule. Simulating complex molecules, chemical reactions, or advanced materials consumes astronomical resources on classical supercomputers because it attempts to describe a quantum world with tools that are not suited for it.

Quantum computers allow these systems to be represented in a way that more natural, using quantum states directlyThis opens the door to accelerating the design of new drugsMore efficient catalysts, less polluting fertilizers, or batteries with greater capacity and longer lifespan. IBM and other industry players have already conducted pilot tests using quantum algorithms to estimate complex molecular properties or explore chemical design spaces that are currently inaccessible.

Another area of ​​great interest is the optimizationMany industrial, logistical, or financial challenges boil down to finding the best solution from a vast number of possible options. Planning transport routes, optimizing an electrical grid, designing a global logistics chain, or building investment portfolios are typical examples. In theory, certain quantum algorithms can explore these solution spaces more efficiently than their classical equivalents, although the exact boundary of that advantage is still being defined.

In the environmental field, the ability to process large volumes of data combined with quantum models raises the possibility of improve climate predictions and the simulation of complex phenomenasuch as hurricanes, droughts, or the dynamics of large ecological systems. There is also talk of optimizing the operation of renewable energy networks by more finely integrating production and demand.

La ciberseguridad It is both an opportunity and a challenge. On the one hand, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break some of today's most widespread encryption systems, such as those based on RSA or discrete logarithms, by solving mathematical problems that are virtually impossible for classical computers. This hypothetical moment has been dubbed "Q-Day."

On the other hand, this risk is encouraging the development of post-quantum cryptographyThat is, new encryption algorithms designed to withstand quantum attacks. Furthermore, technologies such as quantum key distribution (QKD) enable extremely secure communications, based on physical principles that make interception without leaving a trace virtually impossible; the debate surrounding these risks and solutions is reflected in analyses such as the quantum threat and digital security.

The role of the Basque Country's quantum center in the global ecosystem

The quantum center of Euskadi has not been conceived as a simple symbol, but as a real platform for applied research and technology transferIts main function is to allow universities, research centers and companies to work with operational quantum hardware, develop their own algorithms and experiment with use cases that make sense in their context.

In this context, IBM acts as a key technology provider, but the leading role belongs to the local and international ecosystem that is built aroundSpecific projects, research groups, technology startups, training programs, and collaborations with other regions and countries. Two years of joint work between the BasQ scientific team and IBM have already yielded results in fields such as... materials science and high-energy physicsshowing that it is not just a promise for the future.

The IBM-Euskadi center makes available to the BasQ network and other institutions linked to the Basque Government's quantum strategy state-of-the-art quantum computing resourcescombined with access to other IBM systems globally, this facilitates the development of algorithms geared towards strategic sectors such as energy, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence, aligned with the IKUR 2030 goals.

In addition to research, the center plays an important role in talent development and trainingThe Basque Government and IBM are collaborating on educational programs and immersive learning experiences aimed at students and professionals, with the goal of making the Basque Country a international benchmark in quantum talentThe goal is not only to import knowledge, but also to generate and export it from within the territory itself.

The implementation of these infrastructures also has a clear economic dimension. The planned investments in Basque Quantum, amounting to more than €150 million until 2028, aim to to promote new business opportunitiesFrom advanced quantum computing services to vertical solutions for sectors such as finance, energy, and advanced industry. In the words of the Lehendakari himself, it is about “being with the best” and ensuring that those best choose the Basque Country as their preferred partner.

Impact on citizens and time horizon

For the average person, quantum computing will not materialize in the form of visible household devices or applications In the short term, it's highly unlikely that anyone will have a quantum computer at home or use these machines directly in the way they use a laptop or mobile phone today. Their impact will be more indirect, but no less profound.

If the technology matures as expected, its effects will be noticeable in drugs developed fasterThis will lead to more reliable early diagnoses, lighter and stronger materials, more efficient energy systems, and better-optimized supply chains. All of this will translate into improvements in quality of life, industrial competitiveness, and sustainability, even though the end user may be barely aware that quantum computing is at work behind it all.

The project managers are realistic: the IBM Quantum System Two installed in the Basque Country, for example, will need several years to reach error correction levels and scalability that will allow for solving complex problems on a commercial scale. There is talk of a four-year timeframe for entering a new phase of capabilities, provided that technological evolution continues on the projected path.

Meanwhile, the work is focused on Test algorithms, identify use cases with real valueto train the people who will design and operate them, and to forge international alliances. Quantum computing is at a point that many scientists compare to the advent of the transistor in the 50s: still far from its full potential, but clearly on the path to transform the way we approach certain scientific and industrial problems.

Taken together, the combination of nanoGUNE's Quantum Tower, the IBM-Euskadi Quantum Computing Center, and the BasQ – Basque Quantum strategy places Euskadi in an unusual position for a region of its size: that of to aspire to be a key node in the global network of quantum technologiesIt is not about promising immediate miracles, but about building today the scientific, industrial and human capabilities necessary to avoid being left out of one of the great technological races of the 21st century.