Long term energy efficiency improvements in the iron and steel industry

Panel: Panel 5: Energy Policy for a Sustainable Environment

Authors:
Jeroen G. de Beer, Department of Science, Technology and Society, Utrecht University
K. Blok, Department of Science, Technology and Society, Utrecht University
E. Worrell, Department of Science, Technology and Society, Utrecht University

Abstract

A better understanding of the potential of energy efficiency improvements is important for allocation of R&D-funds and global change response strategies. While the short term potential has been well-studied and is more or less agreed upon, there are differing opinions about the long term potential. This paper forms part of a larger study aimed at developing and testing a methodology to determine the long term potential of energy efficiency improvement in industry (see Beer et al. 1993). The focus of this paper is the iron and steel industry (Beer 1994).

The methodology starts with an energy analysis of a selected steel making process. This step aims to determine the minimum energy required for each process, and the energy losses that occur in these processes. This step is described in section 3. Subsequently, in section 4 an inventory is made of technologies that might reduce these losses. These technologies can be adaptations of the current technologies or completely new technologies. In section 5 a comparison of the selected technologies based on a set of determinants of technological development is made.