What can be done about the intense energy needs of crypto mining? Facilities that run the intricate algorithms for cryptocurrencies, such as Ethereum, USD Coin, Avalanche or Bitcoin, suck up huge amounts of power. That's raised concerns about the environmental impact, and even the competition for electricity from homes, businesses, and developing technologies such as electric cars.
On the Episode of Deeper Shade of Green, Cornell professor of Energy Systems Engineering Fengqui You of the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering points out some of the ways such operations can be powered. He suggests to minimize climate and other environmental impacts, the electricity has to be from clean, renewable sources. But he adds, it can't take up that clean power from the normal needs of society. Building more renewables, perhaps by the crypto mining operations, is one path. Another is to find surplus power, he offers, that now is largely wasted and could by slated for this purpose.
Music for this episode of Deeper Shade of Green comes from the Syracuse-based Jazz group E.S.P., the song is Reach.
Production help, research and guest booking by Hector Perez.
