Part 5/17:
Dan elaborates that Bitcoin mining’s ability to rapidly shut down or throttle up makes it a vital tool in stabilizing increasingly intermittent energy grids that rely on wind and solar. These renewables produce surplus power when demand is low and struggle to meet demand peaks, leading to grid instability. Mining operations can absorb excess energy during low-demand periods and give it back when prices spike, effectively playing the role of flexible demand or a virtual battery.