- A swimming pool in the UK is being powered by the heat from a washing machine-sized data center
- When considering the amount of heat released from Bitcoin mining operations, the possibilities are almost endless
- What are some of the most interesting ways that excess Bitcoin mining heat could be used?
The news that a swimming pool in the UK is being heated for 60% of the time by the heat from a washing machine-sized data center has got people talking about the potential for much bigger data centers and other related facilities. When such discussions come up, Bitcoin mining is never far behind, particularly with the amount of heat being given off by ASIC mining machines. Given that Bitcoin’s energy use is a stick its critics persistently use to beat it with, let’s look at some ways in which the heat from Bitcoin mining machines could be used in a similar way.
Heating homes and buildings
In regions where Bitcoin mining is conducted near residential areas, the excess heat generated by bitcoin mining machines could be used to heat homes and buildings. This was already trialed on a limited scale in 2019 when one Thomas Smith heated his own home with the excess heat from his crypto mining operation. This could be especially useful in colder regions where heating costs are high.
Greenhouse farming
The heat from Bitcoin mining machines could be used to maintain a suitable temperature for growing plants in greenhouses. This could be particularly useful in areas where the climate is not suitable for year-round farming, and indeed, in 2019 a group of Canadian Bitcoin miners used the excess heat to start a cricket farm as a side hustle. This theory was also used by a French engineer to heat his greenhouse and chicken coop.
Industrial processes
Some industrial processes require high temperatures, and the heat generated by Bitcoin mining machines could be used to meet this demand, particularly in regions such as Texas where large mining farms exist.
Thermal energy storage
The heat from bitcoin mining machines could be stored in thermal energy storage systems and used for various purposes, including heating and cooling. Alternatively it could be converted into electricity using thermoelectric generators, which could then be used to power other devices or sold back to the grid.
Partners and Open Minds Needed
There are clearly lots of uses for the excess heat from Bitcoin mining operations, and if Bitcoin mining farm operators can find potentially beneficial entities with an open mind, such as the UK council that agreed to trial their swimming pool being heated by a data center, then Bitcoin’s reputation could massively increase on that front.
