Texas paid a Bitcoin miner to use less electricity during hottest month

by baldeagle on 9/16/2023, 12:54:00 AM with 41 comments

  • by _nhynes on 9/16/2023, 2:16:59 AM

    Previous discussions:

    https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37418866

    https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37428605

  • by bradfa on 9/16/2023, 2:00:14 AM

    Grid stability is not free. This concept is not new. Historically things like aluminum smelting had very similar contracts to ensure grid stability.

  • by michael_vo on 9/16/2023, 2:15:55 AM

    Or, they could have implemented surge pricing and charged 10x, 100x for electricity during high demand for non-essential businesses and let market forces decide who wants to still use electricity.

    Some lobbyists must have lined some pockets.

  • by justrealist on 9/16/2023, 2:08:45 AM

    It's funny because it effectively reduces to Texas paying carbon offsets : )

  • by Brian_K_White on 9/16/2023, 11:31:49 AM

    Isn't this just getting compensated for being bumped off a plane?

  • by lakomen on 9/16/2023, 2:14:57 AM

    I have read this before. Like a month ago. Pretty sure it was in Texas. Hmm