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Winter is coming, and with meaning a shifting of calls for for energy and a reshuffling of energy era capability. Through the coldest months of the yr the northern hemisphere receives much less direct daylight and shorter daytime, making winter a literal chilly season for photo voltaic era. With marked problem on infrastructure that isn’t weatherized to deal with what the Iowan in me would name a “regular winter.”
This implies insulation for pipelines to stop freezing and the formation of ice crystals – you’d be stunned at how a lot water may be discovered when issues begin freezing. Additionally which means a necessity for hydraulic fluid of a lighter weight that’s meant to deal with chilly climate and keep its viscosity for lubrication & strain distribution capabilities. Or o-rings/packings of a special density or polymer that forestalls extra shrinkage in response to chilly temperatures; stopping leaks and lack of strain. In addition to factoring wherein parts of apparatus are receiving direct publicity to the weather versus insulation. This was a standard drawback being an plane hydraulics specialist for the Military in Iowa after which deploying to the Center East; whole inventories and working tools have to be retooled to the atmosphere one will likely be working in.
This can lead to elevated pressure on unbiased service operators (ISOs) like ERCOT. However this pressure is positioned on ERCOT solely when the person energy era and distribution operators should not correctly ready. I have no idea how effectively ready the ERCOT grid has gotten since Winter Storm Uri, however with the continued issues in delivery and achievement of late, I’d say it’s most secure to imagine that not all will likely be ready for a doubtlessly bitter winter to come back. That means that ISOs like ERCOT must be making ready methods now to have energy redistribution prepared the place and when it’s wanted to keep away from the catastrophes that observe an irregular winter climate occasion on an unprepared grid.
“The most effective protection is an effective offense.”
Pierre Rochard posted a presentation discussing how bitcoin miners can service ERCOT by offering ancillary efforts, however that’s solely the tip of the iceberg.
https://x.com/BitcoinPierre/standing/1672304412591620096?s=20
In Could of 2023 I wrote up an idea for Merely Bitcoin detailing how energy distribution infrastructure stands to learn from the defensive auspices that bitcoin mining can yield. This method makes use of an offensive technique in increasing grid reliability by swelling energy demand with perpetual & versatile load.
By using bitcoin miners we will have peaker vegetation and broad energy era amenities basically “warmed up” and already offering circulation of electrons and molecules to the impact that when winter climate demand strikes the one plan of action is redirecting circulation. Bitcoin miners are positioned to shoulder this burden higher than some other trade at present as they’ll shutdown and energy on in a fraction of the time in comparison with different operations. Permitting bitcoin miners to behave because the vanguard in grid balancing somewhat than counting on industries equivalent to metallurgy (which impacts much more shifting elements downstream than a bitcoin miner curbing).
Let’s not overlook the added advantages of capturing and redistributing the warmth produced by ASICs. There are many plebs on the Twittersphere (I cannot ever be calling the app “X”) which can be using seize methods from dwelling mining operations to provide heating for laundry machines, water heaters, and many others. When cash is on the road, and defending costly infrastructure is critical, no technique must be discounted. Particularly when it’s freely offered by means of regular operations.
That is grid infrastructure offered by bitcoin mining. It is a nationwide protection matter.
It is a visitor put up by Mike Hobart. Opinions expressed are fully their very own and don’t essentially mirror these of BTC Inc or Bitcoin Journal.
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