In northern Sweden, the first hydrogen- fired zero-emission steel plant was opened. The smelter was built as part of the HYBRIT project, whose main goal is to minimize the level of carbon dioxide emissions in the steel production industry.
The HYBRIT project (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) is an attempt to convert carbon into hydrogen in the steel production process. The hydrogen used in the factory is obtained from surplus energy generated from renewable sources.
If the project turns out to be a success, the newly opened factory in Lulea will be the first step on the road to making all Swedish steel mills zero-emission.
This is definitely a breakthrough technology
It is enough to note that steel production is responsible for as much as 7 percent. global carbon dioxide emissions, making it one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases. Therefore, switching similar factories to zero emissions can significantly improve the climate on the Earth.
One of the shareholders of the new steel plant, the steel producer SSAB, declares that it will be able to sell the first steel produced without carbon dioxide emissions as early as 2026, and the company will be completely zero-emission by 2045.
Scientists note that if the same technology as in Lule were used across Sweden, the country's CO2 emissions would drop by as much as 10%.
Carbon - free steel is not that expensive
Yes, initially the price of zero-emission steel will be 30 percent higher. from conventional. However, it should be remembered that the prices of energy from renewable sources will rather decline, and the costs of obtaining CO2 emission allowances will increase. This means that over time, the price of zero-emission steel will be lower than that of conventionally produced steel.
Currently, the production of steel in Sweden uses coal imported from Australia. At the Lulea smelter, it will be replaced with hydrogen from surpluses from Swedish hydroelectric power plants, and over time from wind farms planned to be built in the north of Sweden.
If you want, you can. A zero-emission steel mill has just opened in Sweden
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