German Companies Launch Renewable Energy Bitcoin Mining Pilot

TLDR

• Deutsche Telekom subsidiary and Bankhaus Metzler launch Bitcoin mining pilot project
• Project uses surplus renewable energy from photovoltaic power at RIVA Engineering
• Mining infrastructure hosted by Metis Solutions GmbH in Backnang, Germany
• Trial named “Digital Monetary Photosynthesis” aims to test grid stabilization
• Project represents collaboration between telecommunications, banking, and energy sectors

Deutsche Telekom’s technology subsidiary Telekom MMS has partnered with German private bank Bankhaus Metzler to start a Bitcoin mining operation that runs on excess solar power.

The project, launched in November 2024, marks one of Germany’s first major corporate ventures into cryptocurrency mining using renewable energy.

The initiative, named “Digital Monetary Photosynthesis,” operates at RIVA Engineering GmbH’s facility in Backnang, Germany.

RIVA Engineering, which produces metal and glass façades, has provided its existing photovoltaic power system for the experiment.

Metis Solutions GmbH hosts the mining infrastructure at the site. The company has installed specialized equipment designed to capture and utilize surplus energy that would otherwise go unused during peak solar production periods.

Telekom MMS brings its Web3 infrastructure expertise to manage the daily operations of the mining facility. The company oversees the technical aspects of converting excess solar power into Bitcoin mining operations.

Bankhaus Metzler, one of Germany’s oldest private banks, contributes its financial expertise to the project. The bank plans to study how blockchain technology can improve energy management while exploring new digital asset services.

The mining operation specifically targets periods when solar panels generate more electricity than the facility can use. Instead of letting this energy go to waste, the mining equipment activates to convert the surplus into digital currency.

The project’s primary goal focuses on testing whether Bitcoin mining can help stabilize energy grids. When renewable energy sources produce more power than the grid demands, the mining operation can absorb this excess, potentially preventing grid overload.

This approach to energy management represents a new direction for Deutsche Telekom, which has traditionally focused on telecommunications services.

The company sees this pilot as an opportunity to expand into the growing intersection of renewable energy and digital assets.

Local authorities in Backnang have supported the initiative, recognizing its potential to improve renewable energy efficiency in the region.

The project aligns with Germany’s broader goals of increasing renewable energy usage while maintaining grid stability.

The technical setup includes monitoring systems that track energy usage, mining efficiency, and grid impact. These measurements will help determine the project’s effectiveness in managing energy fluctuations.

RIVA Engineering’s facility serves as an ideal testing ground due to its existing solar infrastructure and variable energy needs.

The company’s manufacturing processes don’t require consistent power throughout the day, creating natural opportunities for surplus energy capture.

The pilot program will run for an initial period, during which the partners will collect data on energy consumption patterns, mining productivity, and grid stabilization effects. This information will help determine whether similar projects could work at other locations.

Telekom MMS has implemented security measures to protect the mining operation and its digital assets. The company uses industry-standard protocols to secure both the physical infrastructure and digital transactions.

The project team plans to share their findings with other companies interested in similar initiatives. They aim to create a blueprint for corporations looking to combine renewable energy management with digital asset production.

Early results from the first days of operation indicate that the system successfully converts excess solar power into Bitcoin mining operations, though comprehensive data will take time to collect.