YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — A 2021 Wall Road Journal report revealed an surprising transformation within the power sector. Idle energy crops in New York and Montana are getting used for Bitcoin mining. This pivot comes as fossil gasoline crops face shutdowns, whereas the renewable power sector rises. Bitcoin Journal reported that the Bitcoin mining business generated over $2 billion in transaction charges and block rewards in March.
Bitcoin Mines Repurpose Energy Crops: Granbury’s New Actuality
The U.S. Vitality Data Administration famous 137 Bitcoin mining amenities as of February 2024.
These amenities are changing idle energy crops into mining operations. One such web site is in Granbury, Texas, the place Marathon Digital Holdings operates a Bitcoin mine on the Wolf Hole II fuel plant.
Granbury Residents Stricken by Bitcoin Mine Noise
Residents close to the Granbury facility are experiencing vital misery. The mine started operation in 2021 after Constellation Vitality signed an settlement to energy the Bitcoin mining web site. The power consists of 163 metallic containers with over 30,000 computer systems. These machines require large quantities of electrical energy and cooling, leading to steady noise from 1000’s of followers.
The noise from the power has reached up to 91 decibels, just like a lawnmower. OSHA mandates ear safety for environments averaging 85 decibels over eight hours. Over 40 residents report well being points similar to coronary heart palpitations, vertigo, migraines, and panic assaults as a result of fixed noise.
Marathon Digital to Mitigate Mine Noise in Granbury
Marathon Digital Holdings introduced plans to scale back noise. By the tip of the yr, they intention to transform 50% of the location’s air-cooled containers to immersion cooling. This technique includes submerging the parts in liquid to chill them, probably reducing the noise ranges.
Whereas federal noise rules exist, native governments can set their very own limits. In Texas, noise is deemed “unreasonable” when it exceeds 85 decibels. The Granbury state of affairs highlights the challenges of repurposing industrial websites for brand new applied sciences.
