In a letter to The Economist, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently argued that Bitcoin mining is a powerful new tool to support renewable energy-intensive grids. He points out that while power grids are facing pressure from manufacturing, electric vehicles, and data centers, Bitcoin mining's electricity consumption pattern differs from traditional consumption and can have a positive impact on the grid.

Kennedy emphasizes that unlike facilities like data centers, Bitcoin mines only operate when electricity is cheap and plentiful. When electricity scarcity causes prices to rise, mines can reduce their electricity consumption within seconds. Additionally, Kennedy notes that Bitcoin miners are actively participating in demand response programs, allowing grid operators to control their electricity usage to stabilize the grid. The involvement of Bitcoin miners in these programs helps to bid in open markets, reducing electricity costs for consumers.