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Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Sustainability Times
Former Nuclear Site Converted Into Giant Battery Set to Power 100,000 Homes in This Stunning Energy Shift
IN A NUTSHELL ⚡ The former nuclear site in Philippsburg is being transformed into a large-scale battery storage facility by EnBW. by EnBW. 🔋 The facility aims to stabilize Germany's grid by capturing surplus renewable energy and releasing it during peak demand. and releasing it during peak demand. 🌍 This initiative is part of a broader strategy involving hydrogen-ready gas power plants for long-term energy security. for long-term energy security. 🏗️ The development depends on EnBW's final investment decision and regulatory approvals, with operations expected by mid-2027. The global transition to renewable energy sources has sparked innovative solutions to balance electricity supply and demand. In Germany, a transformative project is underway at the former nuclear site in Philippsburg. The energy firm EnBW plans to construct one of the country's largest battery storage facilities, leveraging the site's strategic location. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to stabilize the power grid, accommodating the fluctuating output from renewable sources. As the world moves away from fossil fuels, the integration of such large-scale battery systems is crucial to ensure consistent power delivery, especially during periods of low renewable energy production. Balancing the Grid As the reliance on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power increases, the challenge of balancing the grid becomes more pronounced. Peter Heydecker, a board member at EnBW, emphasized the critical role of large-scale batteries in this new energy landscape. These batteries are pivotal in reconciling the variable generation capacity of renewable sources with actual electricity demand. The Philippsburg project is designed to capture excess electricity generated during periods of high renewable output and release it when demand surpasses supply, thus maintaining grid stability. Heydecker highlighted a dual strategy involving both batteries and hydrogen-ready gas power plants. While batteries manage short-term fluctuations, these advanced gas plants are intended to provide backup during extended periods of insufficient renewable generation. Together, they form a flexible system capable of adapting to varying energy conditions. 'These Simulators Are Unlike Anything You've Seen' Trak Racer and Airbus Join Forces to Redefine Flight Training for a New Generation of American Pilots 'In the energy system of the future, the task of large-scale battery storage systems will be to reconcile two factors in the short term: The weather-dependent generation capacity of renewable energy sources on the one hand, and the actual electricity demand of households, businesses, and industry on the other,' Heydecker explained. Energy Site is Tactical The selection of the Philippsburg site is strategic, given its proximity to a significant substation constructed by TransnetBW, a major transmission system operator. This substation links to the Ultranet power line, which channels wind-generated electricity from northern Germany to its industrial southern regions. By situating an 800 MWh storage facility at this location, EnBW aims to optimize the capture and redistribution of surplus wind energy. 'Germany Is Betting Everything on This' as $3.2 Billion Offshore Wind Farm Promises Power for 1.6 Million Homes but Sparks Fierce Backlash Over Costs and Impact Mayor Stefan Martus of Philippsburg underscored the town's historical significance in Germany's energy landscape. He expressed optimism about continuing its legacy as a central hub for sustainable energy storage and distribution. However, the project's success hinges on EnBW's final investment decisions and the acquisition of necessary permits. If these hurdles are cleared, the battery storage system is expected to be operational by mid-2027. 'Philippsburg has been one of the most important energy locations in the whole of Germany for half a century – and our town is set to continue to play this outstanding role as an anchor point and huge storage facility for sustainable power generation,' concluded Martus. Repurposing Nuclear Sites The transition from a nuclear power generation site to a battery storage facility marks a significant shift in energy policy and infrastructure use. The development is planned on land separate from the existing nuclear plant infrastructure, allowing for an independent timeline. This separation is crucial, as the decommissioning of the site's nuclear reactors is a complex process that will continue for several more years. By repurposing sites like Philippsburg, Germany is not only addressing the immediate needs of its power grid but also setting a precedent for sustainable development. The shift from nuclear to renewable energy storage reflects a broader commitment to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy security. This model could serve as an example for other countries grappling with similar transitions. Future Implications for Energy Security The Philippsburg project highlights the importance of innovative solutions in the global energy transition. As nations strive to meet climate goals and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, ensuring energy security becomes paramount. Large-scale battery systems, coupled with other renewable energy technologies, offer a path toward a more resilient and sustainable grid. However, the successful integration of these technologies requires careful planning, substantial investment, and regulatory support. As the world continues to innovate in renewable energy, the question remains: How can countries best balance technological advancements with the need for reliable and affordable power for all? 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Coin Geek
06-05-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Bitcoin mining 2025: Is it still worth it?
Homepage > News > Editorial > Bitcoin mining 2025: Is it still worth it? Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... There's a strange irony to this moment in Bitcoin mining: the deeper we dig, the less we mine. At Mining Disrupt 2025 and similar events around the country, the conversation has quietly shifted from digital gold to grid stabilization. 'Bitcoin mining is a grid balancing technology—maybe the best in history,' said Dennis Porter of the Satoshi Action Fund in a recent panel. That's not hyperbole. Porter is among a growing number of professionals who recognize that mining's unique ability to throttle demand in real time makes it one of the most valuable flexible loads available to power operators. There's a sober wisdom in that observation, a big opportunity, but also a problem. Miners are making money today in everything but mining Bitcoin: carbon credits, stranded energy, tax incentives, debt-fueled BTC accumulation, and curtailment agreements. Many jobs are also being created in the manufacture of the proverbial 'picks and shovels' of the Bitcoin era. These are clever plays. They serve the grid. They keep operations alive. But they increasingly distance miners from the very network they were designed to secure. And that is the point of my ongoing coverage of the mining industry as a whole, punctuated (again) by my coverage at Mining Disrupt 2025. title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen> The margins in pure hash rate-for-Bitcoin are so low—and so commoditized—that the only way to survive is to stack side hustles. And there are plenty of those if you know where to look. Shrewd entrepreneurs are still raking in revenue, but the signal is clear: mining alone no longer pays. So where does that leave Bitcoin? It leaves us with a question no one wants to answer: what happens when the largest infrastructure layer of Bitcoin becomes entirely indifferent to Bitcoin itself? Porter and others see this as an opportunity. If Bitcoin mining is now power infrastructure, let it thrive. Let miners be paid not just in coinbase rewards, but in government contracts, demand response payouts, and ESG bonuses. Let Bitcoin's engines run for the sake of the grid. However, this evolution also raises existential questions about the long-term sustainability of Bitcoin as money. If mining rewards are increasingly delinked from usage—if transaction volume remains anemic and block subsidies shrink —then what exactly is the system supporting? Just Michael Saylor, Jack Mallers and a few big custodians alongside a few dozen private 'Hodlers' around the world? This is the ticking time bomb of every halving: the industry that should be racing to scale usage is instead racing away from it. As I've said many times, Bitcoin's scaling won't come from ideals—it will come from commercial pressure. That's why we need Teranode, why we need useful tokens, why we need real demand on-chain, and why we need real entrepreneurs building for real users. Otherwise, the smartest people in the room will keep building profitable businesses that have nothing to do with Bitcoin. The incentives are drifting. The mission is at risk. But the tools are still here, waiting to be picked up by builders and entrepreneurs who still believe Bitcoin should mean something. Watch | Mining Disrupt 2025 Highlights: Profitable trends every miner should know title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen>
