Bitcoin mining is booming since 2013, when the first ASIC was released. Hardware efficiency went from 1,200J/TH to only 15J/TH. These advancements have been driven by improved chip technology but we are now at the limit of silicon-based transistors. As further efficiency gains plateau, the focus must shift to optimizing other aspects of mining operations—particularly the power setup.
The use of three-phase energy is a more efficient alternative to one-phase in the bitcoin mining process. As more ASICs are designed for three phase voltage input, the future mining infrastructure will need to adopt a uniform three phase 480v system.
Understanding Three-Phase and Single-Phase power
It’s important to first understand single-phase and 3-phase power systems in order to fully appreciate the role of 3 phase power for bitcoin mining.
In residential areas, single-phase electricity is most commonly used. The system consists of a live and neutral wire. A single-phase voltage system is sinusoidal, delivering power at a maximum and then dropping to zero two times during every cycle.
Imagine pushing someone on a swing. The swing will move forward, then come back. It will reach a height, then descend back down to its lowest position before pushing again.
Like a swing, single-phase systems have periods when they deliver maximum power and then none at all. Inefficient power systems can result, especially when a constant supply of electricity is needed. However, this problem is minimal in residential settings. It becomes more significant for high-demand industrial operations such as Bitcoin mining.
The three-phase system is more commonly found in industrial or commercial environments. Three live wires provide a constant, reliable flow of power.
Assume that three people push the swing in the same analogy. However, each one is doing so at a different pace. The swing is pushed by one person just when it begins to slow from the initial push. Another person then pushes a swing a third through, while the third pushes if two thirds through. This results in a swing moving more consistently and smoothly because the angle of each push is different.
A three-phase system provides a balanced and constant power supply, which is particularly useful for applications that are in high demand, such as bitcoin mining.
Evolution of Bitcoin Mining Power Requirements
Bitcoin mining is a relatively new technology, and has seen a significant increase in its power requirement over the past few years.
In 2013, the mining of bitcoins was primarily done by CPUs or GPUs. The real game-changer came with the development of ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) miners as the bitcoin network grew and competition increased. These devices were specifically created for the sole purpose of mining Bitcoins. Their efficiency and performance are unmatched. These machines require more power, which has led to improvements in the power supply system.
The top of the line miner in 2016 could compute 13 TH/s at a power of around 1,300 watts. Although this mining rig is considered inefficient today, it was profitable at the time due to low competition on networks. Institutional miners rely now on rigs with a power requirement of around 3,510 watts to make meaningful profits.
ASIC’s power demands and high-performance miner operations are increasing the need for three-phase systems. It was only logical to switch to three-phase to meet the energy requirements of this industry.
Bitcoin Mining – 480v 3-Phase
Efficiency First
In North America, South America and other areas, 480v, three-phase electricity has been standard for many years. The widespread use of 480v three-phase power is due to the numerous advantages it offers in terms efficiency, cost saving, and scalability. Its consistency and reliability make it perfect for fleets and operations that require greater uptime.
The ability of 3-phase power to provide higher power densities reduces the energy lost and ensures mining equipment is operating at its best performance.
A three-phase system will also save you money on electrical infrastructure. Installing and maintaining a three-phase power system is cheaper because it requires fewer transformers. It also uses less wiring and voltage stabilization.
As an example, to power a load of 17.3 kilowatts on 208v tri-phase you would need 48 amps. If the load was powered by a source of 480v, then the required current would be only 24 amps. This halving of the current not only reduces power loss but also minimizes the need for thicker, more expensive wiring.
Scalability
It is important that mining operations can expand without having to overhaul the electrical infrastructure. The high availability of systems and components designed for 480v three-phase power makes it easier for miners to scale their operations efficiently.
There is a growing trend in the Bitcoin mining industry towards ASICs which are compliant with three phases. Mining facilities designed with a three-phase 480v configuration address current inefficiencies and future proof the infrastructure. This allows miners to seamlessly integrate newer technologies that are likely to be designed with three-phase power compatibility in mind.
The table shows that the hydro-cooling technique and immersion cooling are the best methods to scale up Bitcoin mining in order to achieve higher hashrates. In order to maintain the same level of efficiency with a higher computing capacity, a three-phase configuration is needed. This will result in a greater operational profit at the same percentage of profit.
Mining Bitcoin with Three-Phase power
Planning and implementation are key to successfully transitioning from a two-phase system to three-phase. These are the main steps in the implementation of three-phase electricity in bitcoin mining.
Estimating the Power Required
First, you must assess your mining operations’ power needs. Calculating the total energy consumption for all equipment in the mine and the capacity of the system is the first step.
Upgrade Electrical Infrastructure
Installing new circuit breakers, transformers and wiring may be required to upgrade the electrical infrastructure in order to accommodate a 3-phase system. Working with electrical engineers is essential for ensuring that your installation meets all safety and regulatory requirements.
Configuring ASIC miners for three-phase power
Most modern ASIC miners are built to work on 3-phase electricity. There may be modifications required for older models or the need to use power conversion gear. Optimizing efficiency requires that the miner be configured to operate on three-phase electricity.
Implementing redundancy and backup systems
It is essential that you implement redundant and backup systems to ensure an uninterrupted mine operation. Installing backup generators and uninterruptible supplies of power, as well as redundant circuits can protect from power failures and equipment breakdowns.
Monitoring and Maintenance
After the installation of a three-phase system, it is essential to monitor and maintain this power source continuously in order to achieve optimal performance. Inspections regularly, load balancing and proactive maintenance are all ways to identify issues and fix them before they have a negative impact on operations.
You can also read our conclusion.
Bitcoin mining’s future lies in the effective use of energy resources. The importance of power configuration is increasing as chip processor technology advances reach their limit. The use of three-phase power systems, and in particular 480v, can offer many advantages to bitcoin mining.
The mining industry can meet its growing needs with three-phase power system because they provide higher power densities, increased efficiency, decreased infrastructure costs, as well as scalability. It takes careful planning to implement such a power system, but its benefits outweigh any challenges.
In the evolving bitcoin industry, adopting three-phase electricity can help to create more profitable and sustainable operations. The right infrastructure will allow miners to maximize their equipment’s potential and keep up with the competition in bitcoin mining.
Christian Lucas is the Strategy at Bitdeer. The opinions expressed by Christian Lucas are theirs alone and not those of BTC Inc. or Bitcoin Magazine.
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Source: bitcoinmagazine.com
