Wind and Crypto

🎐🏴‍☠️ How are the two related, other than crypto being the wind beneath our wings?

This quote by Ward pretty much sums up the situation with global warming. There are those who feel the world is coming to an end; those who think it’s all just going to sort itself out; and those who adjust the sails; the activists, the scientists, the lawmakers, the inventors, and anyone who turns off the light when they leave a room.

Adjusting the sails can feel Sisyphean. Consider solar energy for example. For a moment there, it seemed like it was the answer to all our prayers. Then, over time, the challenges and downsides became apparent too: the risk of creating a scarcity of materials, the problem with using hazardous materials, and the high cost of storage of excess energy, to name but a few.

Enters, wind

Wind, too, is not the answer. It’s an adjustment of the sails. It has huge advantages, such as operating at night and in most weather conditions. And downsides too, like the high cost of transporting energy from remote sites to the places that need it, and like sound pollution and the danger to wildlife.

And yet, wind energy is a fascinating space to be watching right now. Especially if you’re one of those people who gets pumped up by problem-solving.

The Kaboost chair booster effect

Have you ever looked at the Kaboost chair booster (see below) and thought to yourself “now there’s a brilliant idea”?

What we mean to point out, is that all the other solutions aimed at getting a seated toddler to reach the table, are either high chairs or boosters placed on top of a chair. Whereas the Kaboost chair booster adds the needed height from the bottom of the chair.

OK, but what has that got to do with anything?

We’re glad you asked. The vast majority of tech startups in the wind energy segment right now, are like the Kaboost chair booster. They come up with brilliant ideas, but they are all meant to improve, or rather “optimize” the existing technology.

Take Nabrawind 👆 for example. It’s almost too literal. Nabrawind does for wind turbines, what Kaboost does for chairs; it makes them taller — from the bottom.

And there are dozens, if not more, of other tech startups, with products designed to support wind turbines or optimize them. There are drones measuring performance, sensors for monitoring blade performance, improved foundations for offshore turbines, and robotic blade maintenance.

These last ones, by the way, Aerones, are the only ones we’ve come across that mention improving people's lives — namely turbine technicians — and not the bottom line of cost reduction and carbon emissions reduction.

For a comprehensive and fascinating review of home wind turbines, watch this episode of Undecided by Matt Ferrell

The answer is blowing in the wind

Optimizing wind energy is a worthy effort, no doubt. However, innovation is about more than just improvement. It’s about ingenuity.

Take for example this invention: Dandelion seed-inspired microsensors, which can be spread from a drone and carried afar by the wind. We watched this video on repeat. These microsensors are used to monitor... well, the video doesn’t say really. Perhaps weather conditions? Or volcanic activity? But wait... 😬 couldn’t these be abused to invade privacy? And how about their impact on the environment and on wildlife? So, while they are brilliant, we remain undecided for now.

Aeolus by Luke Jerram, photo by University of Salford press

But the point is, that there are still many ways to play with wind. The Cavalry 360°, for example, was a site-specific installation and musical instrument, that used the force of the wind to create the sound 500 horses moving across the landscape.

Another mind-blowing art and music installation is Luke Jerram’s Aeolus: a giant aeolian harp, that resonates with the wind, creating beautiful music. It is also a stunning sculpture, reflecting its surroundings.

And, as always, this is where we ask...

How does crypto fit in?

We all know the numbers on crypto mining's carbon footprint. And if you like to stay on top of “which country’s energy consumption levels bitcoin has reached?” we recommend Digiconomist.

So where does that leave us?

In this 6-part overly-produced video, that is weirdly accompanied by melancholic music, the Argo mining company does have one valid point:

Crypto is the future of money, and green is the future of energy. Hence, the two must be synergized.

There have been various attempts, and so far, unless we’re missing something major here, they’re, well, not quite there yet. But hey, Rome wasn’t built in one day either. So here are two worth mentioning:

👉 ETB is a company that uses wind electricity for cryptocurrency mining, to secure alternative financing for the development of renewable energy production. If this truly works, it’s not too shabby at all.

👉 In November 2021, as CNBC reported, Houston-based tech company Lancium said it was raising $150 million to build bitcoin mines across Texas that will run on renewable energy. We’ll have to wait and see.

The bottom line, we feel, is that crypto has still a long way to go, and a lot to prove, as far as taking responsibility for global warming is concerned. Would you agree? Leave your comment here, or talk to us on Twitter. We look forward to hearing from you.

Don’t forget the music

As always, we made a playlist for you. Inspired by Wind. Enjoy.