BW Digital, NUS launch quantum-ready data centre study

BW Digital and the National University of Singapore have launched a research collaboration on quantum-ready data centres in Southeast Asia, focusing on tropical operating environments such as Singapore and Batam.

The project brings together BW Digital and the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the university's College of Design and Engineering to examine the infrastructure needed for future quantum-classical computing in modern data centres. Over the next 18 months, the partners plan to define what they describe as a minimum infrastructure baseline for these systems.

The research will cover structural design, thermal and cryogenic systems, power systems, environmental stability, connectivity, and operational planning. It will also examine quantum-safe integration and the practical conditions needed to support hybrid AI-quantum workloads.

A central question is how tropical conditions affect the design and operation of facilities that may need to host quantum systems. The organisations say humidity management, heat rejection, vibration control, and electromagnetic stability present particular challenges in markets including Singapore and Batam.

Engineers and researchers involved in the programme will assess deployment models, readiness scorecards, and zoning strategies for data centre sites. The partners also plan to produce an operator playbook to guide BW Digital's future site selection, vendor engagement, and infrastructure planning.

The tie-up reflects a wider shift in the data centre sector as operators consider how to prepare for computing environments that combine artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and quantum systems. While commercial quantum computing remains at an early stage, supporting infrastructure requirements are drawing more attention as operators and researchers examine how existing facilities may need to change.

For BW Digital, the initiative sits alongside its broader digital infrastructure interests in Singapore and across Southeast Asia. The work supports its investment plans in the region, where it is developing data centre and connectivity assets.

Its portfolio includes the Hawaiki submarine cable linking Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. It also includes the BW Digital Campus at Nongsa Digital Park, with the NDP1 data centre, the NCC submarine cable between Singapore and Batam, and the Citra Connect terrestrial fibre network.

Research focus

The collaboration also aligns with Singapore's efforts to strengthen its position as a regional data centre hub while building expertise in advanced computing fields. The parties expect the work to contribute to local workforce development and regional knowledge on infrastructure planning for quantum-related systems.

This matters because the physical design constraints for quantum hardware differ from those of conventional data centre equipment. Cooling demands, system sensitivity, and environmental control can all influence where infrastructure is placed and how facilities are operated, especially in hot and humid climates.

BW Digital said the work with the university is intended to establish technical foundations early while the direction of quantum adoption is still evolving. The research is also meant to inform the future development and optimisation of the company's current and planned data centre projects in Southeast Asia.

"Quantum computing infrastructure is becoming an increasingly relevant focus for the data centre industry. As AI, HPC and quantum systems continue to converge, operators need to start preparing their infrastructure for future compatibility today. Our partnership with NUS CDE allows us to establish the right technical foundations early, while maintaining flexibility as the pace and direction of quantum adoption continue to evolve. The research will also provide valuable insights that can support the future development and optimisation of our existing and future data centre projects in Southeast Asia," said Florent Blot, Chief Business Officer - Data Centre and Value-Added Services, BW Digital.

NUS said the work is designed to connect academic engineering research with practical infrastructure planning. The university's Department of Mechanical Engineering is contributing expertise on the engineering requirements of facilities that may need to support advanced computing systems under demanding environmental conditions.

Professor Lee Poh Seng, Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, said the region's future competitiveness would depend not only on scale and connectivity but also on preparedness for emerging technologies.

"As Southeast Asia continues to grow as a strategic digital infrastructure hub, future competitiveness will depend not only on capacity, connectivity and energy efficiency, but also on readiness for emerging advanced technologies such as quantum computing. This collaboration with BW Digital allows us to bridge academic research with real-world infrastructure development, and to help define practical engineering requirements and operational frameworks for quantum-ready facilities in tropical environments. By combining NUS' engineering expertise with BW Digital's industry perspective, we aim to contribute to resilient, secure and future-ready digital infrastructure for the region," said Lee.