Bitcoin miner revamps Alcoa’s aluminum factory

The town has access to clean and cheaper power alternatives like hydroelectric and wind. Leary pointed out that each computer used to “mine” generates 1400 watts — the same as one hairdryer. With hundreds of thousands of these hot machines operating at once, upstate New York’s climate is ideal for reducing air-conditioning costs.

Cryptocurrency “mining” is essentially math done by high-powered computers. In order to trade bitcoin, transactions need to be verified through complex math equations, then and added to what’s known as a “distributed ledger.” In return for solving equations “miners” receive bitcoin.

Operations are already underway at the former Alcoa East Facility complex, and are projected to be at full capacity within a year. The 435 Megawatt mining center is expected to be the world’s largest digital currency data processor,…