‘Green hydrogen’ feasibility study could herald zero-carbon Teesside steel

BRITISH Steel is conducting a major study into the use of so-called ‘green’ hydrogen, in its drive to decarbonise its operations and manufacture ‘net-zero’ steel.

The steel-maker, which is collaborating with EDF UK, University College London (UCL) and the Materials Processing Institute (MPI) in Middlesbrough, has pledged to deliver net-zero steel by 2050 and significantly reduce its CO2 emissions by 2035.

To support its ambitious plans, it has secured funding from the government for a feasibility study into switching from natural gas to so-called ‘green hydrogen’ as a fuel source for re-heating furnaces. (See our Explainers page for more on hydrogen and its potential.)

The study will be based on operations at its Teesside Beam Mill.

If the study is successful, British Steel will undertake an industrial-scale demonstration which could see the technology developed and rolled out across all its operations, including its main manufacturing base in Scunthorpe. The process could also be adopted by other UK steelmakers.

British Steel’s environment and sustainability director, Lee Adcock, said: “As an energy-intensive industry with hard-to-abate emissions, the steel industry offers the potential for large CO2 emission savings through fuel switching from natural gas to hydrogen.

“This study is, therefore, a vital and hugely exciting step on our journey to developing the technology needed to transform the way we – and other steel manufacturers – operate.

“We’re extremely grateful for the government’s support and look forward to working with our partners to reduce the carbon intensity of our operations, enabling us to manufacture the clean, green steel society needs.”

British Steel won funding for the research from the government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) funding via the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

By subsidising the costs of decarbonisation, the NZIP is aimed at helping the UK slash its carbon emissions.

The study links into the Tees Green Hydrogen project – a pioneering scheme that will use electricity generated by the nearby Teesside Offshore Wind Farm and a new solar farm which EDF Renewables UK is planning near Redcar – to power its hydrogen electrolyser.

An electrolyser is a device which uses electricity to break water down into its two constituent parts; oxygen and hydrogen.

The hydrogen is then used to produce steel from iron ore without producing carbon dioxide, which is the usual by-product of steel production – and the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.

Tees Green Hydrogen will supply local business customers with hydrogen to support decarbonisation efforts and a significant reduction in industrial pollution.

British Steel’s head of research and development (R&D), Dr Gari Harris, said the feasibility study will include a “techno-economic assessment of the methodology and practicality of delivery of green hydrogen for fuel switching into the steel manufacturing process” by EDF UK R&D.

Alongside that, he added, British Steel will assess the technical implications of the fuel switch on both product and process.

“Together, the partners will carry out an assessment of the economic viability and environmental impact of switching from natural gas to hydrogen in defined aspects of steel manufacturing,” he said.

“The Materials Processing Institute and UCL will also play a role in aiding in the assessment of the product and process viability for British Steel.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Steelmaking is in the blood of every Teessider and for generations steelmaking in Teesside has been at the forefront of innovation.

“British Steel’s collaboration with brilliant local research centre the Materials Processing Institute, will add a wealth of experience and knowledge to this ever-growing sector and further position our region as the place to be for ground-breaking clean energy schemes.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Hands said: “As we accelerate the UK’s energy independence by boosting clean, home-grown, affordable energy, it’s crucial that our industries reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

“This investment will help them to not only cut emissions, but also save money on energy bills, on top of supporting jobs by encouraging green innovation across in the UK.”

Patrick Dupeyrat, R&D director of EDF UK, said: “Decarbonisation of steel production is essential for Britain to achieve net zero.

“We will not only preserve jobs, but create new ones, making Tees Valley industry more sustainable and competitive for the future.”