Thermoeconomic Repurposing of Tesla Cabin Heat: A Proof-of-Work Mining Experiment in Electric Vehicle Climate Systems (By Maya Nicks)

Abstract

Thermoeconomic Repurposing of Tesla Cabin Heat: A Proof-of-Work Mining Experiment in Electric Vehicle Climate Systems (By Maya Nicks) Abstract This manuscript investigates a speculative energy loop in the Tesla Model Y—utilizing cryptocurrency mining rigs installed inside the cabin to generate thermal energy during stationary operation in cold environments. By reframing PoW mining as both a financial and thermodynamic process, we test the viability of mining heat as an auxiliary climate control mechanism. The results suggest that while economically inefficient for crypto gain, Tesla vehicles can be repurposed as hybrid computation-heat nodes—blurring the boundary between DeFi infrastructure and vehicle climate management.