Soluna Holdings’ “Project Ellen” is a Bitcoin mining breakthrough or this terrific arrangement between GE, NtexasSC, and South Texas Wind — a new 100 MW data center supported by a dedicated 145 MW wind farm. Giving this project a name that reflects the importance of co-locating energy generation and consumption, like that of a trailblazing Hispanic woman – it just fits. In the high-stakes game of international sustainability, have we been dealt a masterful checkmate? Or is this just a politically astute trojan horse that really serves the interests of only the usual suspects.

Green Bitcoin? A closer look

On the surface, Project Ellen addresses a real problem: underutilized green power. Due to infrastructure limitations, wind and solar farms sometimes produce more electricity than the grid needs at that moment, resulting in curtailment – wasted energy. Bitcoin mining is addicted to energy consumption. This would allow it to absorb excess energy, making more renewable energy projects economically viable. Let’s not get carried off by the excitement of “green computing.”

The devil is in the details. How "green" is this actually? We need cold, hard numbers. What’s the lifecycle environmental cost of manufacturing, transporting, and eventually decommissioning those wind turbines? How much carbon pollution does the data center contribute? From the construction materials to the specialized industrial-strength cooling systems designed to keep Bitcoin mining rigs from overheating.

What do you do when the wind doesn’t blow? Wind power is inherently intermittent. Will Project Ellen be powered by wind energy alone? Or will it rely on backup power sources that would cancel much of its environmental benefit? We know this is the hard reality. ERCOT, Texas’s grid operator, has faced a painful winter of disruptive and unpredictable renewable energy—causing blackouts and skyrocketing power prices. We cannot afford to exchange one environmental crisis for another.

Malaysian Interests – A Transferable Model?

From a Malaysian perspective again, this project begs so many more questions. Will the Soluna model work if transferred to Southeast Asia? Our energy infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, along with our economic priorities, are a world away from Texas.

Meanwhile, Malaysia is making a serious push towards its own renewable ambitions, with targets of 70% renewable energy by 2050. Taking Project Ellen and trying to just copy paste it here without reckoning with our own unique context would be a major strategic misstep.

Consider this: Malaysia's wind resources are not as abundant or consistent as those in South Texas. We'd likely need to rely on other renewable sources, such as solar, or even potentially import renewable energy from neighboring countries. For example, the environmental footprint of hyperscale data centers in tropical climates can be enormous. Their extreme humidity and distinct biodiversity require special attention. It’s important to prioritize technologies that work best for our local climate and conditions.

  • Project Ellen: Large-scale wind farm co-located with data center.
  • Potential Malaysian Adaptation: Smaller, distributed solar installations powering local data centers or integrated into existing industrial parks.

Is this model really going to serve the people of Malaysia? Or will it continue to protect the primary interest of a consultant for a private company, while putting our environment and future energy security at risk. We have to insist on transparency and accountability where renewable energy projects are concerned. This will ensure they work to advance our national interests and create a more equitable and sustainable future.

Sustainable Future or Just Hype?

The potential for greenwashing here is significant. It’s easy to slap a “green” sticker on a project. This strategy attracts investors who are ready and willing to benefit from the green revolution. Are we really making the world a greener place? Or maybe we’re simply moving it from one place to another and creating other challenges along the way. We may be inducing anxiety/fear by doing this action.

We need new and much stronger regulations and real enforcement and oversight so that companies like Soluna don’t get away with false greenwashing environmental claims. To have the intended impact, independent audits, consumer-friendly transparent reporting, and strict enforcement are key. They fight greenwashing and help make sure renewable energy projects deliver what they claim to.

The real question is how we can make renewable energy and Bitcoin mining co-exist sustainably. The question is whether they will. This equation is not simple and not straightforward, full of variables. Let’s embrace it with healthy skepticism and continue to be dedicated to doing the right thing—making decisions based on data and evidence. Let’s not let the novelty of a supposed “green” Bitcoin project distract us from the many ways this could go wrong. Let’s push for true sustainability and no more fancy window dressing. Ultimately, the long-term sustainability of projects like Project Ellen hinges on rigorous assessment, continuous improvement, and a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship – both in Texas and, potentially, in Malaysia.