Cryptomining company Fortitude Mining Holdings is participating in Southwest Power Pool's (SPP) wholesale electricity markets through its 15MW facility in Aurora, Nebraska.

Under SPP's Dispatchable Demand Response framework, participating consumers can reduce their electricity use when instructed by the grid operator. SPP issues real-time dispatch instructions at five-minute intervals.

Aurora receives electricity from Southern Public Power District, which is supplied under a wholesale agreement with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD).

Fortitude CEO Jaime Leverton said participation would help the company manage electricity consumption and operating costs while making its mining operations more responsive to grid conditions.

"The facility's ability to operate at a consistent load while rapidly reducing consumption when grid conditions require it provides valuable flexibility," said NPPD CEO Thomas Kent.

The announcement did not specify how much of Aurora's capacity is registered for demand response or quantify expected savings or market income.

Fortitude is wholly owned by Digital Currency Group and mines proof-of-work cryptocurrencies, with a focus on the privacy-focused coin, Zcash.

The company appointed former Hut 8 CEO Leverton as its chief executive in September. She succeeded Andrea Childs, who moved to the chief operating officer role.

In August, Fortitude acquired a separate 12.5MW mining facility in Prosser, Nebraska. The property and improvements were priced at $6.25 million, with the purchase including the land, building, and an on-site 67kV substation.

Fortitude estimated Prosser's stabilized power cost at approximately $0.045/kWh and identified participation in demand response programs as an option for that site.

Prosser became its third Nebraska location, alongside Aurora and Grand Island. At the time of the acquisition, Fortitude reported more than 60MW of contracted power across seven sites in Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and New York.

Fortitude is also pursuing a proposed business combination with Nasdaq-listed HeartSciences. HeartSciences shareholders are scheduled to vote on the transaction on November 19; completion remains subject to shareholder approval, Nasdaq requirements, and other closing conditions.