2026-11-21 –, Pendulum - Main Stage
Bitcoin mining is often discussed primarily in terms of its electricity consumption, but its highly flexible demand profile creates a different question: can Bitcoin mining become a useful participant in renewable energy systems?
This talk explores how Bitcoin mining can respond rapidly to changing electricity availability and potentially absorb renewable generation that would otherwise be curtailed. Drawing on ongoing PhD research into flexible loads and electricity systems, I will examine where this model could provide genuine value, including improved renewable utilisation, additional revenue for generators and greater demand flexibility.
The presentation will also address the limitations. Grid constraints, carbon intensity, market design and the location of mining operations all determine whether Bitcoin provides an energy-system benefit or simply adds additional demand.
Rather than arguing that Bitcoin is inherently good or bad for the environment, the talk presents a practical framework for understanding when Bitcoin mining can support renewable electricity systems, when it cannot, and what conditions are required for it to work.
Bitcoin mining has an unusual characteristic compared with most large electricity consumers: it can rapidly increase or decrease demand in response to electricity availability.
This talk explores whether that flexibility could help renewable electricity systems deal with one of their growing challenges: curtailment, where wind or solar generation is available but cannot be fully utilised.
Using insights from ongoing PhD research, Ross Edwards will explore Bitcoin mining as a flexible load, its potential interaction with renewable generators and electricity grids, and the economic incentives that could make such systems viable.
The talk will also examine the limits of the argument, including carbon intensity, grid congestion, market incentives and the question of who ultimately benefits.
Goal: move the Bitcoin-energy debate away from slogans and towards the actual engineering and economics.
Ross Edwards is a PhD researcher at Queen’s University Belfast working at the intersection of Bitcoin, renewable energy and electricity systems. His research explores how flexible Bitcoin mining demand could help utilise curtailed renewable energy, support grid stability and improve renewable asset economics.
He has presented research at engineering and academic conferences and has previously spoken on a panel and delivered a presentation at Bitcoin Ireland. His wider interests include Bitcoin’s environmental impact, energy markets, decentralised infrastructure and the economic and distributional consequences of Bitcoin.