Texas Considering Bitcoin Miners as Controllable Load Resources to Enhance Grid Stability
The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is exploring the possibility of classifying Bitcoin miners as Controllable Load Resources (CLRs) in order to improve grid stability.
During a recent Texas Senate Business & Commerce Committee hearing, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas highlighted the potential benefits of categorizing more Bitcoin miners as CLRs. By doing so, Vegas believes the reliability of the state’s power grid could be enhanced.
A CLR is a significant power consumer that has the ability to reduce energy costs by avoiding high-price periods while also providing essential grid stability services.
Vegas revealed that crypto operations in Texas currently consume approximately 2,600 megawatts of energy, but only 500 megawatts are registered as CLRs, with just 130 megawatts actively participating. He stated, “I would like to see all crypto become Controllable Load Resources (CLRs); that would be, from a liability standpoint, truly advantageous.”
The crypto community has reacted positively to this development, with Brian Morgenstern, Public Policy Head at Riot Platforms, describing it as the most significant aspect of the hearing. Bitcoin mining enthusiast Jacobo Pascual also expressed support, stating, “As grid reliability degrades with the addition of intermittent renewable capacity, the value of bitcoin mining as a balancing tool increases (add electricity demand when renewable capacity is plentiful, cut immediately when generation is insufficient).”
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, however, has raised concerns about the anticipated growth in the state’s power grid capacity, largely driven by Bitcoin miners and artificial intelligence data centers. The grid is projected to expand from 85,000 to 150,000 megawatts in the next decade, surpassing the previously estimated 110,000 megawatts.
Patrick emphasized the need to closely monitor these industries, as crypto miners and data centers are expected to account for over 50% of the projected growth. He stressed the importance of prioritizing retail users and traditional businesses over niche industries that may strain the grid. Patrick stated, “I’m more interested in building the grid to service customers in their homes, apartments, and normal businesses and keeping costs as low as possible for them instead of for very niche industries that have massive power demands and produce few jobs. We want data centers, but it can’t be the Wild Wild West of data centers and crypto miners crashing our grid and turning the lights off.”
