From qubits to a sustainable future: how R&D accelerates the energy transition

Research & Development (R&D) is the backbone of impactful innovation. More than developing new technologies, it is through R&D that we tackle the most complex challenges of our time — from the climate crisis to digital transformation — with solutions that drive progress and create economic and social value. 

At Microsoft, we believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining how we work, collaborate, and respond to the major challenges of our era. In the energy sector, machine learning algorithms and generative AI are already transforming asset management, demand forecasting, and energy efficiency optimization. By combining large-scale data with cloud computing and next-generation AI — such as Microsoft Copilot — we enable faster, safer, and more informed decision-making, both on the ground and in control centers. 

This ability to anticipate, learn, and act in real time represents a significant leap in supporting the energy transition. And it is through partnerships with companies like EDP that these technologies gain scale and impact, being applied to real-world contexts with concrete results. 

But we don’t stop there. Quantum computing is also opening new frontiers. One of our most significant breakthroughs has been the development of Majorana 1 — a topological qubit that marks the beginning of a new era in building more stable and fault-tolerant quantum computers. Although still in its early stages, this technology has the potential to enable ultra-precise simulations of power grids, accelerate the discovery of conductive materials, and optimize storage systems, contributing decisively to a more efficient and sustainable energy system. 

We believe the future of energy will be increasingly digital, decentralized, and intelligent. And that future will only be possible through collaborative innovation ecosystems. Partnerships such as those we have developed with the energy sector — particularly with EDP — are essential to scale solutions, share knowledge, and create lasting impact. 

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of EDP’s R&D center is a recognition of the value of science and shared vision. And above all, it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to a more sustainable, more equitable, and more innovative future. 

Andrés Ortolá, General Manager, Microsoft Portugal