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Com' on man

3,264 Views | 25 Replies | Last: 1 mo ago by cone
Cibalo
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A bitcoin mining company is going to build a new site in West Texas. They will need 205MW of power and will be connected to the ECROT grid.

https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/hut-8-secures-land-and-power-for-205mw-data-center-in-west-texas/

I thought we didn't have the infrastructure to support the current residents and had to do rolling black out and brown outs when it gets too hot or too cold?
CDUB98
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AG
**** that ***** They need to build their own co-gen unit.
AlaskanAg99
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AG
I'm 100% for deenergizing any bitcoin "mining" operation.

Or charge them 1000% the going rate.
lancevance
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Bitcoin is the future and I am glad a texas company is investing innit. Texas needs more hitech business investment.
Milwaukees Best Light
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AG
CDUB98 said:

**** that ***** They need to build their own co-gen unit.

Admittedly I don't know much about bitcoin mining, but why would they need steam?
ktownag08
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AG
Many are set up as CLRs (controllable load resources) meaning they're using excess energy directly normal grid operations which is most of the time and during periods of high load they curtail to backup power sources.
CDUB98
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AG
Milwaukees Best Light said:

CDUB98 said:

**** that ***** They need to build their own co-gen unit.

Admittedly I don't know much about bitcoin mining, but why would they need steam?


Steam turns turbines connected to generators that create electricity.
Diggity
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AG
or they sell back the power back to the grid at exorbitant prices.

BTC is an interesting play but it's a complete waste of resources.
Zobel
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It's counter intuitive but stuff like this helps the grid and consumers. Their operations can turn on and off based on the price of electricity so they add demand in off peak hours and can turn off in peak hours. The minimum demand on the grid overnight is something like 2/3 of peak. if we had more load that could operate like this it would reduce the average price of power.
Milwaukees Best Light
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AG
CDUB98 said:

Milwaukees Best Light said:

CDUB98 said:

**** that ***** They need to build their own co-gen unit.

Admittedly I don't know much about bitcoin mining, but why would they need steam?


Steam turns turbines connected to generators that create electricity.

Cogen is creating electricity and steam. If all they need is electricity, seems a little excessive to create extra steam.
Sorry. I just realized I am dorking out on this. I get your point, but your specifics are probably off.
CDUB98
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AG
Agree my specifics are off. I was firing off a post and just simplified.

You're right, they only need enough for them. Basic premise is simply to power themselves and not suck off our grid that already struggles.

If the economics aren't there for it, then **** off and go suck the teet of another state.
Zobel
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AG
How are they sucking the teat? They're buying electricity same as anyone else.
CDUB98
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Zobel said:

How are they sucking the teat? They're buying electricity same as anyone else.


I guess I need to put my engineer hat on and stop being sarcastic.

No, not welfare sucking teet, just taking what little reserve capacity is available, which on bad days in August goes to almost zero.

They're a gigantic energy suck, and, to me, they should not be adding giant loads to an already problematic grid. I feel the same way about AI computing centers.

Now, the reason the grid is problematic is a whole other discussion.
Zobel
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AG
Ah I see. But I think they actually do the opposite. They are usually buying wholesale at those volumes so they have exposure to price swings. They will not be buying power at peak time, but will be buying overnight. At least the business plans I've seen for similar setups run this way. And that helps the grid - we have excess base capacity, so more off-peak utilization decreases average pricing.
CDUB98
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AG
Zobel said:

Ah I see. But I think they actually do the opposite. They are usually buying wholesale at those volumes so they have exposure to price swings. They will not be buying power at peak time, but will be buying overnight. At least the business plans I've seen for similar setups run this way. And that helps the grid - we have excess base capacity, so more off-peak utilization decreases average pricing.


I don't disagree except to question whether they are only running at off hours. I don't trust them.
Zobel
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AG
I guess, but if they want to pay $9k per MWh to mine bitcoin they won't be in business for long. Problem solved!
CDUB98
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Zobel said:

I guess, but if they want to pay $9k per MWh to mine bitcoin they won't be in business for long. Problem solved!


Well, if they're paying market rate we know they're not at that rate.
98Ag99Grad
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AG
C'mon not com"on
Jugstore Cowboy
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AG
I'm just a com' on man, I drive a com' on van, my dog ain't go no pet it gree.
98Ag99Grad
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AG
Nice. Haven't thought of that song in forever
Pahdz
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Jugstore Cowboy said:

I'm just a com' on man, I drive a com' on van, my dog ain't go no pet it gree.
Dr. Venkman
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AG
Zobel said:

How are they sucking the teat? They're buying electricity same as anyone else.
I know of one project that they are located behind the generator meter. Meaning they buying at wholesale prices.
maroon barchetta
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CDUB98 said:

Zobel said:

I guess, but if they want to pay $9k per MWh to mine bitcoin they won't be in business for long. Problem solved!


Well, if they're paying market rate we know they're not at that rate.


They can be during a 4CP event.
Bondag
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AG
https://today.tamu.edu/2023/05/22/texas-am-team-studying-effects-of-crypto-mining-on-the-texas-power-grid/

https://engineering.tamu.edu/news/2022/03/etid-how-two-former-students-started-mining-bitcoin-fueled-by-flared-natural-gas.html

Quote:

Two Texas A&M University former students found a way to mine $4 million worth of Bitcoin using flared gas, a byproduct of oil and gas production, a combination of two industries one wouldn't normally think to pair together.
Goodest Poster
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AG
Bondag said:

https://today.tamu.edu/2023/05/22/texas-am-team-studying-effects-of-crypto-mining-on-the-texas-power-grid/

https://engineering.tamu.edu/news/2022/03/etid-how-two-former-students-started-mining-bitcoin-fueled-by-flared-natural-gas.html

Quote:

Two Texas A&M University former students found a way to mine $4 million worth of Bitcoin using flared gas, a byproduct of oil and gas production, a combination of two industries one wouldn't normally think to pair together.



That's funny...we were doing this in PA several years before these guys. Guaranteed I wasnt the one to come up with the idea either. Funny how people get credited stuff. Edison/Tesla debate ensues...
Always the most goodest
cone
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AG
a ridiculous waste of energy
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