Real-world Case Studies
African Bitcoiners
West Texas Wind Farms
Bitcoin miners partnered with wind farms to monetize excess energy stranded due to grid constraints, enabling immediate revenue generation.
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
The Electric Power agency welcomed Bitcoin miners to buy excess energy from the GERD, earning $55M in 10 months to fund additional transmission capacity.
Minimizing Wasted Energy
1
California Energy Curtailment
In 2020, California curtailed over 1.5 million MWh of solar and wind energy - enough to power 150,000 homes for a year.
2
Compute North's Solution
Purchased a 280 MW wind farm in West Texas, reducing waste and eliminating curtailment fees by providing a guaranteed customer for surplus wind energy.
3
Jiachi West's Impact
After beginning operations in Texas, renewable energy curtailment dropped by 4%, and renewable energy profitability increased by 12%.
Increasing Demand Flexibility
1
Grid Stabilization
Bitcoin miners in Texas integrated into ERCOT's grid stability programs, providing 3 GW of flexible demand capacity.
2
Extreme Weather Response
During the July 2023 heatwave, Texas miners curtailed 1.2 GW of power usage within seconds, equivalent to three peaker plants' output.
3
Peaker Plant Replacement
Flexible load resources like Bitcoin mining have proven to be superior, more cost-effective replacements for gas peaker plants.
Case Study: Gridless Compute's Renewable Microgrids
1
Challenge
600 million Africans live without electricity due to high upfront costs and lack of consistent demand for microgrid projects.
2
Solution
Gridless Compute pairs solar and hydropower microgrids with Bitcoin mining to create a guaranteed, flexible energy buyer.
3
Impact
Already powered 8,000 homes across Zambia, Malawi, and Kenya that were previously without electricity.
4
Future Plans
Deploy 20 microgrids across sub-Saharan Africa by 2025, demonstrating how Bitcoin can democratize energy access while accelerating decarbonization.
Case Study: Reviving OTEC Technology
OTEC Background
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a promising baseload renewable energy technology that was mothballed in the 1980s due to funding challenges.
Bitcoin Mining Solution
OceanBit uses Bitcoin mining to make OTEC economically viable by providing an on-site energy consumer, eliminating the need for expensive grid connections.
Future Potential
OTEC could provide abundant, reliable baseload renewable energy, contributing significantly to global decarbonization efforts.
Eliminating Gas Peaker Plants in Texas
1
2021
Following Winter Storm Uri, ERCOT integrates Bitcoin miners into grid stability programs
2
2024
3 GW of mining capacity participates in demand response, replacing the need for gas peaker plants
3
July 2023
During a heatwave, Texas miners curtail 1.2 GW of power usage, equivalent to three peaker plants' output
4
Ongoing Impact
Bitcoin mining saves Texas taxpayers $18 Billion by eliminating the need for highly polluting peaker plants
Case Study: Landfill Methane Mitigation
The Problem
Landfills account for 17% of global methane emissions, a gas 84x more potent than CO2
Bitcoin Solution
Mobile mining units convert vented methane into electricity on-site, eliminating emissions and generating revenue
Success Story
Vespene's 1.6MW Landfill gas powered Bitcoin mining operation in Marathon County mitigates 20,000 tonnes of CO2e per year
Scaling Potential
Just 35 mid-sized venting landfills with Bitcoin-mining operations could make the entire Bitcoin network carbon-negative
Case Study: Ending Oilfield Flaring
Global Challenge
Gas flaring wastes energy and emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The World Bank aims to stop almost all flaring by 2030.
Bitcoin Mining Impact
29 Bitcoin mining companies have found ways to solve the 160-year old problem of wasted flare gas, collectively mitigating 3.2 MT CO2e per year.
Success Stories
Crusoe's projects in North Dakota reduced flaring by 99% at partnered sites. Unblock Global achieved 15MW of flare gas powered Bitcoin mining in Argentina.
Preserving Nature: Virunga National Park
Biodiversity Haven
Virunga National Park is home to half of Africa's terrestrial species across 7,800 km² of terrain.
Bitcoin mining provided crucial funding to protect the park from poachers and militias, while also powering a sustainable chocolate factory within the park.
Bitcoin Mining Impact
Park Director Emanuel de Mode stated that Virunga "would have gone bust as a national park if not for Bitcoin mining."
Biodiversity Haven
Virunga National Park is home to half of Africa's terrestrial species across 7,800 km² of terrain.
Bitcoin Mining Impact
Park Director Emanuel de Mode stated that Virunga "would have gone bust as a national park if not for Bitcoin mining."
Eco-Sanctuary in Costa Rica
Challenge
Eduardo Kopper's family was at risk of losing 60 hectares of land that had been in their possession for 5 generations.
Bitcoin Solution
Utilizing otherwise stranded surplus hydropower for on-site Bitcoin mining to finance the land's transformation into an eco-sanctuary.
Result
The land was preserved and transformed into a thriving eco-sanctuary, demonstrating Bitcoin mining's potential to fund conservation efforts.
Revitalizing a Former Coal Mining Town
1
2023
Identified struggling coal town for potential Bitcoin mining facility location
2
2024
Broke ground on solar-powered Bitcoin mining facility, hiring local workforce
3
2025
Facility operational, providing 100+ jobs and significant tax revenue to the community
4
2026
Expanded operations, launched community solar program and STEM education initiatives
5
2027
Town economy revitalized, with new businesses and population growth