Agile Energy X, a subsidiary of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)—the fourth-largest energy provider globally—is investigating Bitcoin mining as a potential solution to manage excess renewable energy. The Tokyo-based subsidiary aims to leverage Bitcoin mining to prevent wastage from oversupply, particularly during peak production times for renewable sources like solar power.
TEPCO, the largest electric utility in Japan, is exploring this strategy to make use of surplus electricity, with Agile Energy X’s president, Kenji Tateiwa, explaining that the initiative could significantly boost the integration of green energy into Japan’s power grid. According to Tateiwa, this project is unique within Japan, and its success could lead to wider adoption of similar strategies.
The concept, first sparked in 2018 due to challenges around “output power control,” proposes using Bitcoin mining to help energy producers manage surplus energy by either pausing production temporarily or redirecting excess power to mining operations. This is especially relevant for solar energy, where generation peaks during the day.
Although the company has yet to begin actual Bitcoin mining, Tateiwa’s proposal will be put to the test through a series of demonstration projects to evaluate its viability. If successful, this approach could lead to a more efficient use of renewable energy and contribute to reducing waste.
