Blockstream and Block Inc to build solar Bitcoin mining facility powered by Tesla technology

On Friday, cryptocurrency retention institution Blockstream and Block Inc. (formerly Square) announced the operation of a solar-powered Bitcoin (BTC) mining installation successful Texas. As told by Blockstream, the mining tract volition beryllium outfitted with 3.8 megawatts (MW) of electrical capableness utilizing Tesla's Solar photovoltaic compartment array and 12 an MWh Megapack.

Manufactured by Tesla Energy, Megapack is simply a almighty lithium-ion artillery that provides vigor retention and support. In context, 1 of the starring publically listed Bitcoin mining companies, Hut 8 Mining, has astir 209 MW successful full contracted mining capacity. The intent of the task is to analyse the feasibility of operating a zero-emission vigor Bitcoin mine. Blockstream and Block began collaborating connected the task past June, with Block promising to put $5 cardinal for its construction.

In summation to its carnal construction, the teams astatine Blockstream and Block volition physique a publically accessible dashboard to study connected the project's economics. Key metrics volition see powerfulness output, fig of Bitcoin mined, retention performance, full uptime, expenses, instrumentality connected investment, etc. It volition beryllium accessible 24/7 from immoderate browser.

While star Bitcoin mining is theoretically carbon-neutral, determination is simply a great woody of controversy wrong the crypto assemblage astir its practicality. In June 2021, Braiins, the world's oldest Bitcoin mining pool, published a feasibility investigation connected utilizing star vigor to excavation Bitcoin and concluded that it was not profitable, adjacent erstwhile considering near-free energy costs and recycling surplus vigor during highest sunny hours. Braiins' main selling serviceman Kristian Csepcsar is besides an outspoken critic of star Bitcoin mining, pointing retired that accepted metrics to measure its "environmental friendliness" doesn't relationship for variables specified arsenic the accumulation of "brutally" harmful chemicals during star sheet manufacturing.