Bitcoin miners help stabilize the local power grid by turning off during a heatwave in Texas

In the summer of 2022, Central Texas experienced an intense heatwave. As temperatures soared, the demand for air conditioning skyrocketed, putting immense strain on the state’s power grid. Electricity prices surged, and the grid faced the risk of rolling blackouts.

Local bitcoin miners stepped in to help out with more than 1,000 megawatts of Bitcoin mining load being switched off, accounting for about 1% of the state’s total grid capacity. By voluntarily shutting down their machines, Bitcoin miners contributed to energy conservation during the heatwave.

Bitcoin miners have a unique advantage—they can quickly turn their machines off and back on without significant loss of profit. This flexibility allowed them to respond promptly to the energy crisis.

Texas had become a major player in Bitcoin mining after China’s ban. This decentralization of mining operations across different regions helps distribute the environmental impact and reduces reliance on any single energy source.