The Rise of Quantum Computing -- Take a BITE for Built Environment and Urban Microclimate Research

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum computing can revolutionize built environment and urban microclimate research by optimizing energy systems and climate planning, despite current hardware limitations.

Contribution

It introduces the 'BITE' principle to guide problem selection for quantum acceleration in urban and environmental research.

Findings

Quantum computing can improve energy management and HVAC control.

It supports renewable energy planning and multi-objective design.

The 'BITE' principle helps identify suitable problems for quantum use.

Abstract

Quantum computing is a new approach to computation that utilizes superposition, entanglement, interference, and tunneling to solve problems too complex for classical computers. This paper discusses the basic concepts and development of quantum computing, exploring its potential applications in the built environment and urban microclimate research. In buildings, quantum computing may help optimize energy management, control HVAC systems, and plan electric vehicle charging networks more efficiently. For urban microclimates, it could accelerate renewable energy planning and support multi-objective design, making it easier to balance urban building performance with climate conditions. Since current quantum hardware is still in the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) stage, we propose the "BITE" principle to guide researchers in choosing suitable problems for quantum acceleration: B (Big search), I (Input-light), T (Tiny computation), and E (Evaluation polish). Although quantum computing still faces challenges such as noise and hardware limits, it offers great potential for developing more climate-resilient, sustainable, and energy-efficient cities of the future.