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SolarBatteryBitcoin

github.com

11–20 of 214 posts

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#11
post #7

I'd like to believe that something like this is possible, but I just don't get how this gets around the fact that every Joule that is used for bitcoin mining is a Joule that wasn't used somewhere else. Even if many Joules of renewable power get wasted during periods of overproduction (mid-day in the summer in California), other more worthwhile loads could be shifted to use that power, because today it's negative-pric…

> Even if many Joules of renewable power get wasted during periods of overproduction (mid-day in the summer in California), other more worthwhile loads could be shifted to use that power, because today it's negative-priced during such periods.

Clearly there aren't such worthwhile loads available, which is why the rates go negative in the first place.

>pre-cooling of buildings during the summer (run the AC in houses full blast during the middle of the day so there's no need to run it in the early evening),

Isn't this counter-productive? The middle of the day is also when the temperature is the hottest, so running AC full blast is also the most wasteful since it generates the biggest temperature gradient (and thus cooling loss).

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#12
post #7

I'd like to believe that something like this is possible, but I just don't get how this gets around the fact that every Joule that is used for bitcoin mining is a Joule that wasn't used somewhere else. Even if many Joules of renewable power get wasted during periods of overproduction (mid-day in the summer in California), other more worthwhile loads could be shifted to use that power, because today it's negative-pric…

I consider a spending all these joules of energy on securing the bitcoin blockchain to be one of the most important things we can do to ensure the prosperity of the people of Earth - in the face of tyrants, fraudsters and central bankers.

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#14
post #8

The missing consideration here is the wasted capital of a miner sitting there idle.

Have you checked the spreadsheet? cell C34 on the second sheet contains an input for the cost of the mining rig. Presumably that accounts for the capital cost of the miner.

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#15
The incessant snide comments expressing nothing but dislike for Bitcoin really don’t belong on HN. Not liking Bitcoin is fine, but if you don’t have anything to add just don’t comment. Every thread about Bitcoin on HN does not a dozen comments that it’s a waste of time and energy.

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#16
Can we please just invest more heavily in nuclear? My preference is thorium reactors given they are far, far less dangerous in all regards.

Given ARKs time horizon, it would be a prescient investment. There's no way in hell were going to get stable power from solar and batteries alone. The bitcoin power problem is also solved.

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#17
post #7

I'd like to believe that something like this is possible, but I just don't get how this gets around the fact that every Joule that is used for bitcoin mining is a Joule that wasn't used somewhere else. Even if many Joules of renewable power get wasted during periods of overproduction (mid-day in the summer in California), other more worthwhile loads could be shifted to use that power, because today it's negative-pric…

> that every Joule that is used for bitcoin mining is a Joule that wasn't used somewhere else.

This applies to so many things. Snapchat data center? YouTube using gigawatts to process and stream cat videos? On and on. It’s really hard to control what people do with energy. Much better to focus on ensuring its priced correctly and all it’s externalities are properly included in that price. Then we don’t have to involve ourselves in moral debates about what’s a valid or invalid use.

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#18
post #15

The incessant snide comments expressing nothing but dislike for Bitcoin really don’t belong on HN. Not liking Bitcoin is fine, but if you don’t have anything to add just don’t comment. Every thread about Bitcoin on HN does not a dozen comments that it’s a waste of time and energy.

“When the Church of Scientology announces that they’ve been thinking about solar panels, why does everyone have to rush to mention that it’s a cult? Can’t we just give them credit for these good intentions and forget everything they’ve actually done?”

(Celebrity endorsements, non-functional technology, libertarian fantasies of escaping the tax man — L. Ron Hubbard would have loved Bitcoin.)

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#19

This is incredible, and exactly what Square was getting at. If bitcoin is the incentive for decentralized power generation and battery provision, hash on!

delusional, this just continues to waste resources for peoole to speculate. resources wasted, lives ruined when they get the gambling wrong. everybody cut this crap out, please.

Well there's nothing wrong with considering a store of value to keep you from being under the thumb of fiat. So there's works of art, maybe some other metals, some really unusual one-off earth property. So what you have left is crypto or gold.

So invest in gold and encourage more gold mining. Or just trust your government and hold cash. Either way, you're losing a shitload of value. Hedge a small piece of your opinion for a year, then re-evaluate in 2022. Then feel free to come back on HN in 2022 and share your opinions on the subject.

Re: SolarBatteryBitcoin

#20

This is incredible, and exactly what Square was getting at. If bitcoin is the incentive for decentralized power generation and battery provision, hash on!

delusional, this just continues to waste resources for peoole to speculate. resources wasted, lives ruined when they get the gambling wrong. everybody cut this crap out, please.

Is it only speculation or do people get utility out of Bitcoin? Can someone in Venezuela use it get their money out of the country?
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