Integrating blockchain mining with boiler controls to create a hybrid power generator
Disclosed are systems and methods of generating electrical power utilizing a mining bank of individual blockchain miners. The blockchain miners operate as a revenue generating heat source that provides thermal energy into a power plant's Rankine or Brayton cycle turbines.
1. A power system comprising:
a combustor configured to produce steam;
a power generation system configured to convert thermal energy to electrical energy;
a blockchain mining bank comprising a plurality of individual mining units configured to provide heat energy produced from performing a blockchain process to the combustor;
a blockchain mining controller configured to cycle each mining unit of the mining bank from a standby state to an operational state and vice-versa; and
a master controller configured to control an amount of fuel provided to the combustor;
wherein the master controller is configured to compare power consumption of the blockchain mining bank to a threshold value and release heat input to the combustor when below the threshold value.
2. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the power generation system is configured to export power and provide electrical power to the blockchain mining bank.
3. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the power generation system comprises a turbine.
4. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the master controller comprises a processor, a network interface in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor.
5. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the combustor comprises a heat source.
6. The power system of claim 5 , wherein the heat source comprises a fire box or a furnace.
7. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the mining bank controller comprises a distributed control system or a programmable logic controller.
8. The power system of claim 1 , wherein the mining bank controller comprises a processor, a network interface in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the processor.
9. The power system of claim 8 , wherein the processor and memory are combined in a single chip.
10. The power system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fan between the blockchain mining bank and the combustor.
11. A power generation system comprising:
a combustor;
a blockchain mining bank in fluid communication with the combustor; and
a master controller configured to control an amount of fuel provided to the combustor;
wherein the master controller is configured to compare power consumption of the blockchain mining bank to a threshold value and release heat input to the combustor when below the threshold value.
12. The power generation system of claim 11 , wherein the blockchain mining bank comprises an inlet for receiving lower temperature gas and an outlet for providing higher temperature, preheated gas to the combustor.
13. The power generation system of claim 11 , wherein the combustor comprises:
a combustion furnace for generating hot combustion gas; and
a steam generator for converting water to steam using heat from the hot combustion gas.
14. The power generation system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a turbine for converting energy from the steam into mechanical energy; and
an electrical generator connected to the turbine for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
15. The power system of claim 11 , wherein the blockchain mining bank comprises a plurality of individual mining units configured to provide heat energy produced from performing a blockchain process to the combustor; and wherein the power system further comprises:
a blockchain mining controller configured to cycle each mining unit of the mining bank from a standby state to an operational state and vice-versa.
16. A method for generating power comprising:
with a mining bank controller operatively connected to a mining bank of individual blockchain miners,
receiving an output request to increase power output of a power plant to an electrical grid;
comparing the output request with a present net electrical output of the power plant; and
cycling individual blockchain miners of a mining bank to standby, wherein cycling miners to standby reduces a power consumption of the mining back and wherein the reduction in power consumption increases electrical output to the electrical grid; and
with a master controller configured to compare power consumption of the mining bank to a threshold value and release heat input to a combustor when below the threshold value:
controlling an amount of fuel provided to the combustor.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the power plant comprises:
the combustor comprising:
a furnace in fluid communication with the mining bank for generating hot combustion gas;
a steam generator for converting water to steam using heat from the hot combustion gas;
a turbine for generating mechanical energy from the steam; and
an electrical generator for converting the mechanical energy into electrical energy.