Exclusive: "Sichuan Bitcoin Mine" has become a test question and has appeared repeatedly in the Chinese college entrance examination simulation geography paper

The annual Chinese college entrance examination is approaching. Wu said that the blockchain query found that the topic of "Sichuan Bitcoin Mine" appeared in many college entrance examination simulation geography papers, including the 2020 National Hundred Schools Joint Examination New College Entrance Examination Original Sprint Simulation Paper, Henan Province Zhengzhou Foreign Language School College Entrance Examination Full Simulation (Three) Liberal Arts Comprehensive Geography Questions, Five Years of College Entrance Examination Three Years of Simulation College Entrance Examination Geography Topic 15, etc.

Wu Blockchain believes that the fact that Bitcoin mining has been included in geography exams many times shows that it has indeed become a widely concerned phenomenon. The questions and answers in the exam are relatively fair. It mentions how Bitcoin mines help solve the problem of abandoned electricity and water in Sichuan, and does not blindly label Bitcoin and mining in a negative light. This is of certain significance in helping more ordinary people understand Bitcoin and the mining industry.

The topic is:

As an Internet currency, Bitcoin has the characteristics of high returns and high risks. More than 70% of the global Bitcoin production capacity is located in China. Bitcoin "mines" are factories that use a large number of computer servers to calculate Bitcoins. The operation and cooling of the "mine" computers require a lot of electricity.

Mabian County in Sichuan Province is rich in hydropower resources, but water abandonment is common in hydropower stations. Some of the water in the reservoir is directly discharged downstream without passing through the generators, and the water energy utilization rate is less than 80%. In recent years, a cluster of Bitcoin "mines" has appeared in Mabian County, and these Bitcoin "mines" migrate seasonally between the area and Northwest my country every year.

There are four topics surrounding this material:

(1) Analyze the reasons why water abandonment is common in Mabian County. (6 points)

Answer: (1) The seasonal variation of river water volume is large, and hydropower stations release water for flood control; (2 points) There is seasonal excess hydropower capacity, and supply exceeds demand; (2 points) There is a spatial mismatch between electricity supply and demand, and the power output capacity is insufficient. (2 points)
(2) Speculate on the characteristics of seasonal migration of Bitcoin "mines" and explain the reasons. (6 points)

Answer: Move to the northwest in winter and return to Mabian County in summer. (2 points) Reason: In winter, the rivers in Mabian County enter the dry season, hydropower generation is small and the electricity price is high, while thermal power and wind power in the northwest are relatively abundant and cheap; (2 points) The temperature in the north is lower in winter, which is convenient for server heat dissipation and reduces energy consumption; (2 points) In summer, the rivers in Mabian County enter the flood season, hydropower is abundant, and electricity prices are low. (2 points)
(3) In Mabian County, there has been a phenomenon of Bitcoin "mines" purchasing hydropower stations. Please explain the reasons for this phenomenon. (4 points)

Reference answer: Bitcoin "mines" have huge electricity demand and have independent hydropower stations to ensure stable electricity supply; Bitcoin "mines" are power-oriented industries and have independent hydropower stations, which can reduce electricity costs and increase economic benefits; Bitcoin has high profits and has funds to support the acquisition of hydropower stations. (4 points for any 2 points)
(4) Some people believe that the further expansion of the local Bitcoin industry should be restricted. Please explain your reasons. (6 points)

Bitcoin is risky and its returns are unstable; Bitcoin operations consume a lot of electricity, which will lead to insufficient power supply in the real economy; excessive waste heat emissions may cause fires and pose safety hazards; Mabian County has a poor economic foundation and insufficient supporting service capabilities such as server operation and maintenance; large-scale operation of servers will cause significant noise pollution. (6 points for any 3 points)

In addition, there are some related questions that appear in the 2019 College Entrance Examination Geography Final Sprint Simulation Paper: