Revolutionizing Bitcoin Mining with Advanced Three-Phase Power

The landscape of bitcoin mining has expanded rapidly since the inaugural shipment of ASIC miners in 2013, enhancing hardware efficiency from 1,200 J/TH to an impressive 15 J/TH. These improvements were primarily fueled by advancements in chip technology; however, we are now encountering the limitations of silicon-based semiconductors. As the potential for further efficiency enhancements begins to stagnate, attention must pivot towards optimizing different aspects of mining operations, with a particular emphasis on power configuration.

Three-phase power is increasingly recognized as a more effective substitute for single-phase power in bitcoin mining. With a growing number of ASICs engineered for three-phase voltage input, it is crucial for future mining infrastructures to adopt a standardized 480v three-phase system, especially considering its availability and scalability throughout North America.

Understanding Single-Phase and Three-Phase Power

To grasp the importance of three-phase power in bitcoin mining, it’s crucial to first understand the fundamentals of single-phase and three-phase power systems.

Single-phase power, the most prevalent type of power supply in residential applications, consists of two wires: one live and one neutral. The voltage in a single-phase system oscillates sinusoidally, resulting in power that peaks and then falls to zero twice during each cycle.

Picture pushing someone on a swing. Each push makes the swing move forward and return, reaching a peak height before descending completely before the next push.

Much like the swing, a single-phase power system experiences intervals of maximum and zero power delivery. This oscillation can produce inefficiencies, particularly when consistent power is needed, although such inefficiency is minor in residential environments. However, it becomes a significant concern for high-demand industrial operations such as bitcoin mining.

Conversely, three-phase power is typically utilized in industrial and commercial settings. This system comprises three live wires, providing a more stable and consistent power flow.

To extend the swing analogy, envision three people pushing the swing but at different timings: one pushes as it begins to decelerate from the initial push, the second pushes midway, and the last pushes two-thirds into the cycle. The outcome is a swing that moves much more smoothly and consistently due to continuous pushes from various angles, maintaining a steady motion.

In a similar way, a three-phase power system guarantees a constant and balanced power supply, leading to increased efficiency and reliability—particularly advantageous for high-demand applications like bitcoin mining.

The Evolution of Bitcoin Mining Power Requirements

Since its inception, bitcoin mining has evolved remarkably, with considerable changes in power demands over the years.

Prior to 2013, miners primarily depended on CPUs and GPUs for mining bitcoins. However, the introduction of ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) miners transformed the landscape as the bitcoin network expanded and competition intensified. These devices are specially crafted to mine bitcoins, delivering unmatched efficiency and performance. Nonetheless, the escalating power demands of these machines required advancements in power supply systems.

In 2016, a leading miner could achieve 13 TH/s with a power draw of around 1,300 watts (W). While this was regarded as inefficient by today’s standards, mining with this setup remained profitable due to the low competition in the network at the time. To secure significant profits in today’s competitive realm, institutional miners now depend on rigs that draw approximately 3,510 W.

The constraints of single-phase power systems have become increasingly apparent as ASIC power requirements and the efficiency expectations of high-performance mining grow. Transitioning to three-phase power became a sensible progression to accommodate the energy demands of the industry.

480v Three-Phase in Bitcoin Mining

Efficiency First

The 480v three-phase power standard has prevailed in industrial sectors across North America, South America, and beyond. This widespread implementation stems from its myriad benefits in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. The consistency and reliability of 480v three-phase power render it suitable for operations that prioritize greater operational uptime and fleet efficiency, particularly in a post-halving landscape.

A primary advantage of three-phase power is its capacity to deliver higher power density, thereby minimizing energy losses and guaranteeing that mining equipment functions at optimal performance.

Moreover, implementing a three-phase power system can significantly reduce electrical infrastructure expenses. With fewer transformers, smaller wiring, and a lesser need for voltage stabilization equipment, installation and maintenance costs are lowered.

For example, a load requiring 17.3 kilowatts of power at 208v three-phase would necessitate a current of 48 amps. Conversely, if the same load is provided by a 480v source, the current demand drops to merely 24 amps. This halved current reduces power loss and minimizes the necessity for thicker, more costly wiring.

Scalability

As mining operations grow, the ability to effortlessly scale up capacity without extensive overhauls of the power infrastructure is vital. The high availability of systems and components designed for 480v three-phase power eases the process for miners looking to expand their operations with efficiency.

With the evolution of the bitcoin mining sector, there’s a definite trend towards the creation of more three-phase compatible ASICs. Constructing mining facilities using a 480v three-phase setup not only tackles current inefficiencies but also future-proofs the infrastructure. This approach allows miners to integrate newer technologies that are expected to be designed with three-phase power compatibility in mind.

The table below demonstrates that immersion-cooling and hydro-cooling methods are superior strategies for scaling bitcoin mining operations in achieving higher hashrate outputs. However, to sustain this significantly increased computational capacity, the three-phase power configuration becomes essential for maintaining equivalent power efficiency. Ultimately, this leads to greater operational profits while preserving the same profit margin percentages.

Implementing Three-Phase Power in Bitcoin Mining Operations