Potential growth scenarios for digital currency electricity consumption show an uncertain future for digital currency mining
May 14, 2019 – Boulder, CO – A new report from Navigant Research analyzes the drivers of the digital currency mining market, including an analysis of utility systems most heavily affected by its growth.
When digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced a surge in valuation in 2017 and 2018, the anticipated revenue potential for digitally mining these currencies gave way to a new industry incentivized to minimize electricity costs. This new industry had a marked impact on a handful of utility systems, as large-scale operations were established in cool regions with low average electricity prices; however, high electricity demand strained existing infrastructure and exposed vulnerabilities in these systems. Click to tweet: According to a new report from @NavigantRSRCH, the digital currency market is time-limited and likely unsustainable for utilities and hardware suppliers.
“The rise and fall of the digital currency mining industry contains lessons for utilities, which must make resource allocation decisions on a longtime horizon,” says Johnathon de Villier, research analyst with Navigant Research. “Hardware suppliers and manufacturers must also recognize the market for digital currency mining is likely to decline over the next 10 years due to technological shifts and other factors.”
According to the report, the digital currency mining industry has unconventional load characteristics, and potential growth scenarios for digital currency electricity consumption show an uncertain future for digital currency mining.
The report, Utilities and Hardware Suppliers Should Plan for a Future Without Digital Currency Mining, analyzes the drivers of the digital currency market, including utility systems most heavily affected by its growth. The study forecasts five scenarios for the growth of the digital currency mining market from 2019 to 2028 in terms of potential revenue and electricity consumption. The report examines the key factors that make low or negative growth scenarios most probable and makes recommendations for both utilities and hardware suppliers. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.
About Navigant Research
Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of clean, intelligent, mobile, and distributed energy. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.
About Navigant
Navigant Consulting, Inc. is a specialized, global professional services firm that helps clients take control of their future. Navigant’s professionals apply deep industry knowledge, substantive technical expertise, and an enterprising approach to help clients build, manage and/or protect their business interests. With a focus on markets and clients facing transformational change and significant regulatory or legal pressures, the Firm primarily serves clients in the healthcare, energy and financial services industries. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, Navigant’s practitioners bring sharp insight that pinpoints opportunities and delivers powerful results. More information about Navigant can be found at navigant.com.
