Texas Blockchain Council Announces Alignment with Grid Reliability Standards

Austin, TX – The Texas Blockchain Council (TBC), a leading advocacy group for bitcoin mining, digital assets and other flexible loads initiatives in Texas, today clarified its position on patent infringement lawsuits against data centers that seek to qualify as controllable load resources (CLRs) in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) market.  Such activities are perceived to undermine grid reliability and improperly claim ownership of public-domain demand response practices.

Patents of this nature are propped up by a lack of awareness at the Patent Office and by the public at large about pre-existing demand response programs and power curtailment practices used across ERCOT and other independent system operators and regional transmission organizations.  Some market participants have fought back against these patents by initiating review proceedings of selected patents at the Patent Office, to shed light on the weaknesses of the patents and their inapplicability to market standard demand response practices.

The TBC emphasizes that it values all efforts to support Texas' energy infrastructure, which is crucial for the continued growth and security of the bitcoin and flexible load industries within the state.

“The integrity and reliability of Texas' power grid are paramount,” stated Lee Bratcher, the President of the Texas Blockchain Council. “We are eager to include companies that prioritize reliability, and work constructively to bolster, our grid's robustness.”

The Texas Blockchain Council continues to advocate for policies and practices that support the sustainable growth of the blockchain ecosystem, emphasizing the critical nature of reliable energy resources for the industry's success.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Shut: mark@texasblockchaincouncil.org