Cryptocurrency transactions have more than just transaction fees; they come with a significant environmental cost. The electricity consumed by these transactions surpasses the annual electricity usage of entire countries like Argentina and Australia.
According to the White House Office of Science and Technology, estimates suggest that global electricity usage for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin ranges between 120 and 240 billion kilowatt-hours per year. The United States leads in these energy-intensive activities.
While finance and business experts have debated the implications of cryptocurrencies and mining, little attention has been given to their impact on the power grid and energy consumption. Dr. Le Xie, a professor at Texas A&M University, is at the forefront of understanding how cryptocurrency mining affects the power grid and using this knowledge for further research, education, and policymaking.
Despite technological advancements that aim to reduce energy usage, cryptocurrency mining remains computationally intensive. The hash rate, which measures the power consumed by the blockchain network, continues to rise.
In the summer heatwave of 2022 in Texas, Xie and his collaborators observed an 18% reduction in global cryptocurrency mining. This decrease was linked to stress on the Texas power grid, prompting the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to urge energy consumers to conserve power.
Xie noted a strong negative correlation between mining demand and total net demand on the grid. During times of grid stress, crypto miners shut down their operations, demonstrating the potential for demand flexibility.
For instance, when the grid is strained due to a heatwave, homeowners consume more electricity for air conditioning. In comparison, cryptocurrency mining demand can be flexible, providing relief during peak energy usage in other areas.
Xie and his students published their findings in the IEEE Transactions on Energy Markets, Policy and Regulation and Advances in Applied Energy. They provide data that enables the initial exploration of the carbon footprint of mining facilities and their impact on grid reliability and wholesale electricity prices. The location of mining facilities plays a significant role in this complex discussion.
Increasing firm demand inevitably reduces grid reliability. However, by modeling crypto mining as a flexible load that can be turned off during stressful periods, it can contribute positively to grid reliability.
Xie leads the Blockchain and Energy Research Consortium at Texas A&M, a collaboration between researchers and industry partners. Their objective is to provide an unbiased multidisciplinary resource that communicates recent developments at the intersection of blockchain and energy.
While cryptocurrency is still in its early stages, one thing is certain: the industry’s growing energy consumption will be crucial. With this in mind, Xie continues his research to find solutions that harness the benefits of blockchain-enabled technologies while ensuring a sustainable grid operation.
Source: Texas A&M University