Japanese utility Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) is partnering with crypto-mining equipment manufacturer TRIPLE-1 to power cryptocurrency mining with excess electricity on its grid.

The project involves the deployment of “distributed data centers” throughout Japan “that hybridize surplus electricity from renewable energy.” In a country such as Japan, where natural disasters are relatively common, such a distributed system could be more flexible.

However, energy conservation around data centers themselves has also become a major issue. Consequently, Japanese authorities believe it became necessary to optimize the power system to utilize renewable energy for data centers. The project makes effective use of “surplus electricity” generated from renewable energy sources throughout Japan.

According to authorities, the amount of output for such renewable energy has been increasing nationwide. Additionally, there are places where it is difficult to connect renewable energy due to grid congestion.  For this reason, there are estimates for the potential of up to twice the amount of power currently being generated. Rather than wasting surplus electricity, this project aims to create new demand for data centers.

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