> At a Glance
> – University and Cambridge data undermine claims that Bitcoin mining wastes energy
> – ERCOT records show mining aids Texas grid stability almost daily
> – E-waste figures were overstated by more than 1,200%
> – Why it matters: The findings could reshape climate and energy policy debates around crypto
Popular warnings that Bitcoin mining wastes energy and destabilizes power grids are losing ground as fresh university research and real-world grid statistics paint a different picture.
Energy Myths Under Fire
ESG analyst Daniel Batten argues that the “per-transaction” energy metric popular since 2018 is flawed because Cambridge studies show resource use is not tied to transaction volume.
Key corrections:
- Scaling transactions does not increase energy, water, or hardware demand
- 2025 Cambridge work found earlier e-waste estimates 1,200% too high
- BTC mining is fully electrified and over 50% powered by sustainable energy
Grid Stability, Not Strain
Independent Duke University research and ERCOT data indicate mining rigs can act like controllable loads, providing balancing and ancillary services.
Grid facts from Texas:
| Event | Mining Impact |
|---|---|
| July 2022 heatwave | Daily stabilization via demand response |
| Routine operations | Near-daily frequency regulation |
| Recorded incidents | Only one mild destabilizing event noted |
Batten says flexible, interruptible mining lowers curtailment, defers grid upgrades, and can replace gas peaker plants, citing lower electricity prices in Norway and Kenya where mining is active.
Cost Questions
Between 2021-2024 U.S. and Texas retail power prices showed no abnormal rise in counties dense with mining operations, contradicting claims that the practice drives up consumer bills.
Cambridge estimates Bitcoin’s annual emissions at roughly 39.8 MtCO₂e, all from electricity use, a figure Batten notes is modest compared with sectors where policy targets generation methods, not just consumption.
Key Takeaways
- Peer-reviewed research dismantles the “energy per transaction” argument
- Real-world grid data show mining supports stability, especially on renewables-heavy networks
- E-waste and consumer price fears are contradicted by 2021-24 data and revised 2025 calculations
- Over half of Bitcoin’s power mix is now sustainable, undermining high-carbon narratives
As regulators weigh climate rules on crypto, the emerging evidence suggests Bitcoin’s energy story is more nuanced-and potentially beneficial-than early critics claimed.
