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Bitcoin mining offers numerous potential use cases beyond securing the network, such as powering machine learning and large gaming setups with GPUs. A UK-based Bitcoin organization, Bitcoin Policy UK, advocates for using Bitcoin to support sustainable grids and renewable electricity generation.
Notable Development in the UK
A report published on July 10 by the organization suggested that the Bitcoin mining industry, a significant electricity consumer, could be key to making intermittent energy supply from renewable grids both stable and viable.
According to the report, Bitcoin mining is seen as one of the few technologies providing fully flexible demand for backup renewable energy. It establishes a base price and monetizes energy supply that would otherwise be unused or curtailed at cost. It argued that while using any idle or wasted energy, it might require zero subsidies or payments from the government:
“Bitcoin mining is an excellent technology to solve the issues we face regarding the feasibility of our energy goals and currently holds large-scale potential in the UK market.”
Details on the Subject
In Texas, Bitcoin mining is already used as a flexible load. Miners provide an interruptible load that can be instantly shut down in response to grid demand and restarted once the demand subsides. The report stated that this could solve the commercial viability issue of the UK’s energy security strategy and assure renewable energy providers that there is a buyer for all the energy they produce, ensuring their projects are not underutilized.
Bitcoin Policy UK is pushing for this new strategy in light of the UK elections held on July 4. These elections brought a new Labour Party government to power, which subsequently announced a plan to establish a £7.3 billion National Wealth Fund to support green industries. In response, the local crypto community called for more consistent policies regarding crypto.
Freddie New, co-founder and head of policy at Bitcoin Policy UK, said they are using this budget to advocate for good policies that protect and preserve the rights of millions of British citizens who own Bitcoin.
