The Australian Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency will invest nearly AUD 1 million to accelerate BlueScope's transition to low-carbon steel. The project will investigate the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy and decarbonization technology pathways that have the potential to decarbonize the steelmaking process at the Port Kembla Steel Works. ARENA CEO Mr Darren Miller said reducing emissions from making steel is a priority for Australia. He said “To meet our net zero targets, Australia needs to reduce emissions from the iron ore mining sector and steel industry. We’re pleased to be partnering with an Australian company motivated to solve this decarbonization challenge. We’re excited by the insights this project will provide. This is a positive step toward building low emissions steel industry in Australia.”Port Kembla Steelworks Renewables & Emissions Reduction StudyTotal project cost - AUD 1.86 millionFunded by ARENA – AUD 0.925 millionLead Organization - BlueScope SteelProject Partners - The University of Wollongong, Future Fuels CRCLocation - New South WalesStart Date - March 2022Steelmaking is emissions intensive. BlueScope’s Australian operations emitted 7.3 million tonnes of CO2-e in FY2019, contributing about 1.3 percent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions. BlueScope has published its medium-term target to reduce steelmaking, including Port Kembla Steel Works, emissions intensity by 12% between 2018 and 2030 and a net zero by 2050 goal. To achieve this, innovative low emissions steelmaking processes need to be investigated. The project will investigate the technical and economic feasibility of two technological pathways1. Smart Carbon Usage: substituting fossil fuels with renewable carbon-based materials and converting plant-generated gases into manufacturing chemicals, includingRenewable bio char to partially replace pulverized coal injected into the blast furnace, coal derived fuels in iron ore sintering and or metallurgical coal in coke makingUsing plant-generated gases to reduce emissionsProcessing blast furnace top gas to produce a hydrogen-rich streamA smelting-reduction process using fine iron ore, fine coal and pure oxygen (potentially replacing coke making and iron ore sintering) to produce iron and concentrated carbon dioxide gas for carbon capture and storage, thereby replacing current coke making, iron ore sintering and blast furnace process units2. Direct Carbon Avoidance: using hydrogen derived from renewable energy in steelmaking processes, including co-injection of renewable hydrogen into the blast furnace for partial replacement of coal. In the longer term, transition steelmaking capacity from carbon-based blast furnace processes to full hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron & Melter and other emerging technologies.The project will produce knowledge sharing reports on the potential emissions reduction opportunities at the PSKW and a short list of prioritized options for further consideration. The reports will lead to1. An improved understanding of the feasibility of various pathways and technologies to reduce emissions in steelmaking2. An improved understanding of the pathway to commercialization for various decarbonization technologies in steelmaking, ideally forming the basis for a case for capital investment in the best option3. An improved understanding of the technical implications of using bio char in blast furnaces for steelmaking through pilot-scale and plant-scale testing
The Australian Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency will invest nearly AUD 1 million to accelerate BlueScope's transition to low-carbon steel. The project will investigate the technical and economic feasibility of renewable energy and decarbonization technology pathways that have the potential to decarbonize the steelmaking process at the Port Kembla Steel Works. ARENA CEO Mr Darren Miller said reducing emissions from making steel is a priority for Australia. He said “To meet our net zero targets, Australia needs to reduce emissions from the iron ore mining sector and steel industry. We’re pleased to be partnering with an Australian company motivated to solve this decarbonization challenge. We’re excited by the insights this project will provide. This is a positive step toward building low emissions steel industry in Australia.”Port Kembla Steelworks Renewables & Emissions Reduction StudyTotal project cost - AUD 1.86 millionFunded by ARENA – AUD 0.925 millionLead Organization - BlueScope SteelProject Partners - The University of Wollongong, Future Fuels CRCLocation - New South WalesStart Date - March 2022Steelmaking is emissions intensive. BlueScope’s Australian operations emitted 7.3 million tonnes of CO2-e in FY2019, contributing about 1.3 percent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions. BlueScope has published its medium-term target to reduce steelmaking, including Port Kembla Steel Works, emissions intensity by 12% between 2018 and 2030 and a net zero by 2050 goal. To achieve this, innovative low emissions steelmaking processes need to be investigated. The project will investigate the technical and economic feasibility of two technological pathways1. Smart Carbon Usage: substituting fossil fuels with renewable carbon-based materials and converting plant-generated gases into manufacturing chemicals, includingRenewable bio char to partially replace pulverized coal injected into the blast furnace, coal derived fuels in iron ore sintering and or metallurgical coal in coke makingUsing plant-generated gases to reduce emissionsProcessing blast furnace top gas to produce a hydrogen-rich streamA smelting-reduction process using fine iron ore, fine coal and pure oxygen (potentially replacing coke making and iron ore sintering) to produce iron and concentrated carbon dioxide gas for carbon capture and storage, thereby replacing current coke making, iron ore sintering and blast furnace process units2. Direct Carbon Avoidance: using hydrogen derived from renewable energy in steelmaking processes, including co-injection of renewable hydrogen into the blast furnace for partial replacement of coal. In the longer term, transition steelmaking capacity from carbon-based blast furnace processes to full hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron & Melter and other emerging technologies.The project will produce knowledge sharing reports on the potential emissions reduction opportunities at the PSKW and a short list of prioritized options for further consideration. The reports will lead to1. An improved understanding of the feasibility of various pathways and technologies to reduce emissions in steelmaking2. An improved understanding of the pathway to commercialization for various decarbonization technologies in steelmaking, ideally forming the basis for a case for capital investment in the best option3. An improved understanding of the technical implications of using bio char in blast furnaces for steelmaking through pilot-scale and plant-scale testing
