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- German tech giant Deutsche Telekom is getting deep into Bitcoin mining.
- Beginning with a renewable energy source for mining BTC, the venture is in the test mode.
MMS, Deutsche Telekom’s wholly-owned subsidiary, has partnered with Bankhaus Metzler to launch a pilot project. This project focuses on introducing a Bitcoin mining infrastructure that utilizes electricity from surplus renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.
MMS and Bankhaus Metzler Bitcoin Mining Vision
According to a press release, the partnership seeks to integrate Bitcoin mining as a stabilizing mechanism for Germany’s fluctuating renewable energy output. Essentially, MMS will provide a sustainable solution that uses digital technology to regulate energy networks during times of high output.
According to the release, electricity from renewable energy sources usually goes unused due to limited grid capacity or insufficient storage options. Therefore, the Bitcoin mining infrastructure provides a means to harness surplus energy properly.
The pilot project aims to supply reliable field data and insights for project planning. Oliver Nyderle, Head of Digital Trust & Web3 Infrastructure at MMS, describes the project as “digital monetary photosynthesis,” converting excess energy into digital assets. He believes the project would help create a dynamic tool to manage power grid fluctuations in Germany.
It is worth noting that other countries, including the US and Finland, regulate power via Bitcoin mining. Therefore, the pilot project aims to validate the process for Germany. The long-term goal is to use the pilot project data to help the energy grid stabilize during times of variations that stress the grid.
Additionally, photovoltaic plant operators and wind power producers could benefit from this approach, as they frequently face unpredictable power regulations. Meanwhile, Metis Solutions GmbH in Dresden manages the hosting of the Bitcoin miners for the trial project.
The mining containers are housed at Riva GmbH Engineering, a Backnang-based manufacturer of metal and glass facades. Telekom MMS will leverage its years of experience with Web3 infrastructure to manage the devices’ operation. However, test runs and data evaluations are defined and analyzed with Bankhaus Metzler.
Through the pilot project, Bankhaus Metzler, Germany’s second-oldest bank, is exploring further possibilities for financial services with digital assets. As CNF reported, Bankhaus Metzler assisted KfW in launching a blockchain-based digital bond in May.
Telekom MMS Blockchain Efforts
Likewise, Telekom MMS has consistently demonstrated its support for blockchain development through several initiatives. MMS provides infrastructure for various decentralized protocols in the Web3 sector, including Chainlink, Fetch.ai, and Polygon.
Additionally, MMS started operating a Bitcoin node in 2023, expanding its portfolio for the first time with a Proof-of-Work network. In July 2024, the firm commenced dedicated worker node operations in Subsquid’s decentralized data lake infrastructure. As CNF reported, these worker nodes played a critical role by swiftly responding to data requests from various users.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Telekom announced its intention to fully engage in Bitcoin mining in June. Following the announcement, crypto analysts expressed optimism for Deutsche Telekom’s blockchain future.
