Electricity plays many roles in our lives, from powering baby monitors, cell phones and lighting, to running HVAC systems and appliances. When we flip a switch, we expect most systems or devices to do their jobs. May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) reminds you that now is a great time…
The New York Times published another report exploring Bitcoin’s energy usage last week, and it went about how you’d expect based on previous criticism of the cryptocurrency’s environmental impact, with the added twist of saying that Bitcoin was actually designed to waste energy in a bid to protect its network from attack. Let’s start with…
A hydroelectric plant built in 1897 is serving a very different function now. The Albany Times Union reported that the Mechanicville, NY plant operated by Albany Engineering Corp. is currently mining Bitcoin with some of the power it produces. “We think this is the oldest renewable energy facility in the world that’s still running,” Albany…
The world grows stranger every day. Case in point: The BBC today reported that West Midlands Police discovered a cryptocurrency mining operation comprised of “about 100 computer units” while they were searching a suspected cannabis farm. Mining cryptocurrency isn’t all that different from growing cannabis. Both can lead to surprising amounts of profit, both rely…