Barcelona Supercomputing Center launches new quantum computer in former chapel

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center – National Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) has unveiled its third quantum computer, the EuroQCS-Spain.

Co-financed by the EU and Spain with an investment of €9.8 million, the new system introduces analog quantum technology to complement the digital quantum technology previously installed at the center.

The EuroQCS-Spain has been integrated into the BSC's MareNostrum 5, which becomes one of the first supercomputers in the world to combine classical computing with digital and analog quantum computing.

The new facility – housed in a former chapel, the Torre Girona – will be available to researchers, industry, and public administrations across Europe.

BSC-CNS director Mateo Valero stated on Thursday that the Barcelona Supercomputing Center is "the only place where there are three quantum computers connected to a classical supercomputer."

The project also advances European technological sovereignty and helps reduce dependence on third countries, Velero noted. 

From the design of the chip to the programming of the software necessary for its use, the entire development process of the new quantum computer was carried out by the Catalan company Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, in collaboration with Do It Now, which carried out the physical manufacturing phase of the chip, made in Gothenburg, Sweden.

After months of renovation work, the iconic Torre Girona chapel has reopened with a renewed look.

Its neoclassical architecture now stands alongside the cutting-edge technology of the three quantum computers that make up MareNostrum Ona, which occupies one third of the chapel. The remaining space will be used to further expand the artificial intelligence capabilities of MareNostrum 5.

The new quantum computer was presented on Thursday, in an event held at the Torre Girona chapel, featuring Mateo Valero, Director of BSC; Francesc Torres, Rector of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC); María González Veracruz, Spain's Secretary of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence; Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Spain's Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities; Núria Montserrat, Catalan Minister of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia; Óscar Díez, Head of the Quantum Computing at the European Commission; Daniel Opalka, Head of R&D at EuroHPC JU; and Marta Estarellas, CEO of Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech.