Green Energy and the Future of Mining

Bitcoin mining is often criticized for its energy consumption, but the reality is more nuanced. Miners are uniquely flexible energy consumers that can turn on or off instantly, making them the perfect partner for renewable energy grids.

Grid Balancing

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are intermittent. Sometimes they produce too much power, and sometimes too little. Miners can soak up excess energy that would otherwise be wasted (curtailment) and shut down during peak demand to stabilize the grid.

Methane Mitigation

Some of the most exciting developments are in methane mitigation. Miners are setting up on landfills and oil fields to burn off vented methane—a potent greenhouse gas—to power their rigs. This actually makes Bitcoin mining carbon negative in some instances.