
Bitcoins and Blockchains: Cryptocurrency Explained
5 Live Science Podcast
00:00
How Much Energy Does Bitcoin Take Up?
Bitcoin currently uses about 15 gigawatts of electric power. That's about as much as Ukraine and Sweden consume in an entire year. The yearly consumption of just standby home appliances in the US alone could power the Bitcoin network for nearly two years on their own. Michelle Ralks from the Cambridge Center for Alternative Finance has done the maths.
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