Ralph Lowe Energy Institute executive director offers insights on crypto-powered heating and evolving energy systems.
December 11, 2025
By TCU Neeley School of Business
Nikki Morris, executive director of the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute at the Neeley School of Business, brought an industry-informed perspective to a CNBC analysis of how bitcoin mining and crypto technologies could influence residential heating and energy efficiency.
The CNBC story explored a developing concept in the energy sector that uses excess heat generated by cryptocurrency mining operations to warm homes, buildings and water systems. While still in early stages, the approach has sparked growing interest as energy costs rise and industries look for innovative ways to reduce waste and improve system efficiency.
Morris provided context on the broader implications of crypto-powered heating, emphasizing both its potential and its current limitations. She noted that while the technology is far from mainstream adoption, it offers a useful window into how digital infrastructure and physical energy systems may increasingly work together.
“The concept of crypto heating is still in its earliest stages, and most people don’t yet understand how it works or what its broader implications could be,” Morris told CNBC. She added that universities and research institutions, such as Texas Christian University (TCU), play a critical role in helping stakeholders understand not only the technology, but also its economic and operational feasibility.
At TCU, Morris leads the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute’s efforts to bridge academic research and industry collaboration across energy markets, policy and emerging technologies. She highlighted the opportunity for institutions like Neeley to help develop the language, frameworks and business models that allow companies to evaluate new energy concepts responsibly.
From residential heating to water systems and distributed infrastructure, Morris explained that hybrid energy approaches — where digital revenue generation and physical energy use intersect — could shape future energy strategies, even if crypto-powered heating itself remains niche.
“Crypto heat might be a small window into the future of distributed energy systems,” Morris said in the CNBC article.
