I thought that mining might be usable for heating or regulating a grid, but no, that implies mining will run only part time and only when it is profitable. But

I thought that mining might be usable for heating or regulating a grid, but no, that implies mining will run only part time and only when it is profitable. But this is not the case and will stay so for long time because it is motivated by expected future price increase of crypto. When you expect huge future profit, that motivates you to run it all the time no matter what the cost. Even with subsidized electricity, mining is done at loss more often than profit. We have thus created a monster that can't be tamed merely by removing subsidies. Not to mention yet another reason for mining 24/7 - rising global hashrate makes your equipment quickly obsolete.