Digital Realty and SURF partner

The cutting-edge computer will be hosted at Digital Realty's AMS17 facility located in Amsterdam's Science Park. This deployment marks a significant milestone for Digital Realty, SURF, and the Netherlands, advancing Europe's position in quantum technologies and their applications.

Co-funded by the EuroHPC JU program, the quantum computer will be deployed by SURF directly next to the existing national supercomputer, Snellius, also co-located at Digital Realty’s AMS17 data centre. This integrated setup and strategic positioning is expected to enable researchers, businesses, and students to leverage a unique hybrid combination of quantum and traditional supercomputing capabilities, promising to lay a new foundation for the future digital infrastructure in the Netherlands.

The quantum computer is expected to initially incorporate a minimum of 16 physical qubits. Qubits are the quantum computing equivalent of a binary bit, except instead of being limited to two states (“0” and “1”), qubits can exist in a blend of both states simultaneously. This ability enables quantum computers to process multiple possibilities at once, making them far more powerful than traditional computers for certain types of problems. Quantum computers are typically deployed in specialised lab environments, necessitating precise control over environmental conditions, such as temperature and electromagnetic interference, to maintain quantum coherence.

"We’re excited to partner with SURF to bring this pioneering quantum computing technology to the Netherlands," said Chris Sharp, Chief Technology Officer at Digital Realty. "This collaboration underscores our broader commitment to supporting cutting-edge technological advancements and providing our customers with the foundation to access the most advanced computing solutions available. From cloud and AI to quantum and beyond, we remain dedicated to empowering innovation at every stage of technological evolution."

“Co-location of a quantum computer in a professional data center is very different from co-location of any regular ICT equipment, with respect to the setup, requirements and procedures. Therefore, our partnership with Digital Realty is extremely important to make the installation and operations of such system a success,” said Axel Berg, Innovation Manager, Emerging technologies and Applications, at SURF, and coordinator of the EuroHPC Quantum project.

Quantum computing promises a transformative leap in computing power, including the potential to solve complex problems at unprecedented speeds, optimise intricate processes, and enable more efficient use of energy across industries such as logistics, finance, and technology. With the United Nations declaring 2025 the Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the momentum behind quantum innovation continues to grow. As the world looks to harness the potential of quantum technologies, Digital Realty is enabling this shift by providing the cutting-edge digital infrastructure required to support these advanced systems. With robust, scalable, and secure facilities, Digital Realty empowers customers to explore and innovate with confidence as they embrace the opportunities presented by quantum computing.

This latest deployment at Digital Realty's AMS17 data centre is testament to Digital Realty's ability to accommodate complex, highly specialised deployments, further solidifying the company’s position as a leader in providing innovative data centre solutions and highlighting its dedication to supporting the next generation of technological advancements.