1st Utility to Mine Bitcoin to Save Energy

What is happening? Illinois’ Ameren Corp.’s Sioux Energy Center added a data center to mine bitcoin “to guzzle energy from the electric grid and help its power plants avoid ramping their production down and back up again, which wastes energy and stresses the plants.”

Why is this important? If it works, it could cut power plants’ carbon emissions and make millions. Opponents at the regulatory level want to ensure that ratepayers are not on the hook for the bitcoin mining.

How will this be important? Critics say this can’t be used as a reason to support coal and that same energy should be used to power other technologies like battery storage or electric vehicle charging stations

STL.com via Governing | Illinois Electric Utility Mines for Bitcoin to Reduce Emissions