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Re:Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index by aianus on Saturday August 26, 2017 @05:30PM (#15107586)
> If Bitcoin didn't exist, the hydro power would still be there and would be used for something else

That's not a good assumption. There are many power plants in China in the middle of nowhere unconnected to much. It's completely plausible that the entire bitcoin network could run on clean energy that otherwise couldn't be used for much else because it's too remote (geothermal in Greenland or something).

Re:Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index by Digiconomist on Saturday August 26, 2017 @05:40PM (#15107645)
I hope we're not building hydro power plants for the sole purpose of supporting the Bitcoin network. The energy may be "clean", but these projects have their own impact on the surrounding ecosystem.
Re:Bitcoin Energy Consumption Index by homero on Sunday August 27, 2017 @08:50AM (#15110565)
So far they're built next to pre-existing ones and using excess power