Despite their potential in many respects, blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) technology have been the target of criticism for the energy intensity of the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm in general and of Bitcoin mining in particular. However, mining is also believed to have the potential to drive net decarbonization and renewable penetration in the energy grid by providing ancillary and other services. In this paper, we systematize the state of the art in this regard. Although not completely absent from the literature, the extent to which flexible load response (FLR) through PoW mining may support grid decarbonization remains insufficiently studied and hence contested. We approach this research gap by systematizing both the strengths and the limitations of mining to provide FLR services for energy grids. We find that a net-decarbonizing effect led by renewable-based mining is indeed plausible.

翻译：尽管区块链和分布式账本技术（DLT）在诸多方面具有潜力，但因其共识算法——尤其是工作量证明（PoW）机制（特别是比特币挖矿）——的高能耗特性而备受批评。然而，也有观点认为，通过提供辅助服务及其他功能，挖矿有望推动电网净脱碳化和可再生能源渗透。本文系统梳理了该领域的研究现状。尽管相关文献并非完全空白，但关于通过PoW挖矿实现弹性负荷响应（FLR）对电网脱碳支持作用的研究仍不充分且存在争议。我们通过系统分析挖矿为电网提供FLR服务的优势与局限性来填补这一研究空白，发现以可再生能源为基础的挖矿确实可能产生净脱碳效应。