Ali Chehrehsaz, the CEO of TerraVerde Energy, is a prominent figure in the renewable energy sector with fifteen years of solar power experience. Over the last six years, he has been evaluating Bitcoin mining integration with solar.
In an exclusive interview with CCN.com writer Andrew Kamsky, Ali explained the history of solar and the benefits behind adopting solar power to innovative strategies his company is deploying to help the solar industry maximize returns through integration of Bitcoin mining.
With TerraVerde’s mission to promote sustainability and efficiency, Ali’s insights offer a compelling view into the future of renewable energy in the cryptocurrency industry.
Ali highlights the pressing issue of solar overproduction and its impact on the grid, stating, “As more solar comes onto the grid, it becomes harder to add more solar. So incrementally, once you reach this threshold, this saturation point of solar on a grid, it becomes a lot harder and less economical to add any more solar to the grid.” This challenge underscores the need for innovative solutions to utilize excess solar energy effectively.
Addressing this, Ali highlights Bitcoin mining as a transformative solution, “What we stumbled upon was that Bitcoin mining can be a great addition to solar plants. We can deploy solar plus batteries and wherever we have extra electricity that we can’t store in the battery, or utilize on the grid, maybe we just turn on the Bitcoin miners.” This approach will not only solve the problem of solar energy overproduction but opens new avenues for sustainable Bitcoin mining practices.
Diving deeper into the relationship between solar energy and Bitcoin mining, Ali provides a vivid analogy, “Solar energy is a prisoner of time and geography, and Bitcoin provides freedom.”
This statement captures the essence of Optimize Infrastructure , a software business Ali co-founded with the mission is to liberate solar energy’s potential by co-locating solar with flexible loadslike Bitcoin mining to help deploy the world’s most profitable solar projects.
The software developed by Optimize Infrastructure is designed to make intelligent, real-time decisions about the most efficient use of solar energy.
Ali explained, “You can manage your own power going to the grid versus going to Bitcoin miner by doing the math on the spot,” highlighting the software’s capability to assess and redirect energy based on immediate market conditions and energy needs.
Ali further detailed the software’s operational mechanism, stating, “The software can predict profitability over five minute increments from the sale of solar between the grid, battery, and Bitcoin mining. The beauty of the Bitcoin network is that you have visibility and transparency into the market. That’s public, it’s on the internet, you can see that.”
This insight underlines the software’s ability to evaluate the profitability of directing solar energy toward the grid or Bitcoin mining operations. A system that can help operators direct solar power plant energy in the profitable direction to maximize returns and enhance the overall efficiency of the operator’s or miners’ energy production.
By using this software, “TerraVerde not only aims to improve the financial outcomes for solar power producers but also contributes to the broader goal of sustainable energy usage,” says Ali.
The software facilitates a more adaptive and responsive energy management system, reducing waste and improving the integration of renewable energy sources into the energy market and the cryptocurrency mining industry.
Ali explained how Bitcoin mining innovation is picking up, and shortly miners will be in a position to leverage heat waste generated from Bitcoin mining rigs.
Ali explained “we’re exploring how we can take the excess heat generated from Bitcoin mining operations and use it in a productive way. Imagine using that waste heat to warm your homes in the winter. It’s a perfect example of how we can turn a byproduct into a benefit, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing our reliance on traditional heating methods. This not only optimizes our use of renewable energy but also aligns with our goals for sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.”
This strategy not only optimizes the use of generated solar power but also aligns with broader sustainability goals. Ali explains how integrating Bitcoin mining operations with residential heating systems can lead to greater energy independence for households.
The approach leverages renewable energy sources and innovative technology to create a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution, contributing to the global transition towards sustainable energy practices.
Looking ahead, Ali shares his optimism about the innovations in solar technology and the efficiency of Bitcoin mining.
Ali emphasizes the need for cheap to negatively produced cost of electricity for Bitcoin mining to be sustainable and profitable, “The Bitcoin mining game, it’s only going to be good for those that have cheap to negatively produced cost of electricity.”
Ali’s journey with Bitcoin mining has led to a profound realization of the high wastage of energy in human activity. Through his work, Ali has observed, “because of Bitcoin mining, I’m discovering all these areas where we have wasted electricity. Bitcoin is holding a mirror to humanity and showing us, look at all the waste you have.”
This insight highlights how Bitcoin, often criticized for its energy consumption, ironically serves as a force in promoting a more mindful approach to energy use in the future.
For Ali, Bitcoin exceeds its role as digital gold, symbolizing a necessary lens through which the inefficiencies of current energy practices are exposed and scrutinized. It champions a call to action for more sustainable, efficient, and waste-reducing energy systems.
Ali sees Bitcoin as both a revolutionary digital asset and a profound educational tool, inspiring a reevaluation of energy generation, usage, and conservation strategies. His reflection on Bitcoin’s impact suggests a future where technology, finance, and environmental stewardship converge, driving innovation toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient world.