Bitcoin mining requires intensive energy resources because of the abundance of complex calculations that must take place. During the Bitcoin mining process, considerable heat is released as a byproduct. However, the Dutch have now found innovative ways to use this extra thermal energy.
Instead of letting that warmth go to waste, this innovative Bitcoin mining operation repurposes this extra heat for a hothouse where farmers are growing tulips.
The bitcoin mining operation keeps the greenhouse warm and relieves tulip farmers from rising fuel prices. Traditionally reliant on gas, these Tulip farmers have found a way to cut energy costs drastically. At the same time, the farmers and the company running this bitcoin mining operation can also earn bitcoin, benefiting everyone involved.
Bert de Groot's Bitcoin Brabant
Bert de Groot, engineer and owner of Bitcoin Brabant uses this innovative energy exchange to reduce his company’s reliance on natural gas. That’s not all. The servers are then powered by solar energy from the greenhouse’s roof, making for a massive reduction in energy costs and a solid break for the environment.
The tulip is a staple crop for the Netherlands, the world’s largest producer. The nation’s economy is very dependent on the ability to export this crop to the world as it is the second largest agricultural exporter. In recent years, however, climate change has affected the country’s ability to keep producing agricultural products at a competitive price due to the high energy prices.
An Innovative Bitcoin Mining Operation
This economic climate makes the union of bitcoin mining and tulip growing an ideal match. The bitcoin mining business combined with tulip growing makes the net result carbon negative. This undeniable truth gives way to the incredible potential of methods like the one we see used here to help improve the environment and help mitigate the results of climate change. The only question now is whether this process is scalable to the rest of the agricultural industry and if other countries will also start to explore this innovative use case. More Dutch agricultural firms are looking to get involved as it may be a last resort for them before going bankrupt.
Keep Calm & HODL
At the time of writing, the price of Bitcoin declined considerably from its all-time high last year, when it nearly reached $70k. Right now, the price has already dipped to around $17k, but some are unphased, having faith that the long-term proposition of Bitcoin remains strong.
Despite Bitcoin’s recent decline, de Groot has absolute faith in the future of BTC and will continue to fuel his tulip business via Bitcoin servers.
“I have absolutely no worries about the long-term value proposition of an immutable monetary system” he proclaimed to AFP.
“Bitcoin will last forever.”
