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  • Writer's pictureGreen Shift Group

What is green steel or near zero emission steel (NZES)?

Near zero emission steel (NZES) is a term used to describe steel production that emits very low levels of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). NZES is achieved using innovative production technologies that reduce or eliminate carbon emissions associated with steelmaking.

There are several methods for achieving NZES, including the use of low-carbon and renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen or electricity from renewable sources, to replace fossil fuels in steel production. Another approach is to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from steel production using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

In addition to reducing emissions, NZES can also involve the use of recycled steel or the adoption of more efficient production processes to reduce waste and conserve resources.

The development of NZES is a critical component of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change concerns. By significantly reducing or eliminating carbon emissions associated with steel production, NZES has the potential to contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Green steel is steel that is produced using renewable energy and a process that emits zero or significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The production of traditional steel is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, as it requires large amounts of fossil fuels and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide during the production process.

Green steel is produced using innovative production processes that replace traditional high-emissions methods, such as blast furnace technology, with low-emissions alternatives. One example of a low-emissions production method is hydrogen-based steelmaking, which uses hydrogen gas instead of coal as a reducing agent in the production of iron.

Other methods for producing green steel include direct reduction methods, such as the use of renewable electricity and biofuels to producing direct reduced iron (DRI), as well as the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from the steel production process.

The production of green steel is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the steel industry and help to address climate change concerns.

Is recycled green steel? Recycled steel is not necessarily green steel, but it is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional steel production. Recycled steel is made from scrap steel that has been melted down and reprocessed into new steel products, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and the energy-intensive processes involved in traditional steel production.

While recycled steel does not eliminate greenhouse gas emissions associated with steel production, it does reduce the amount of energy and resources required to produce new steel. Additionally, the use of recycled steel can help to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

To be considered green steel, steel production must use renewable energy and low-emissions production methods that result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. While recycled steel is a sustainable option, it does not meet the criteria for green steel unless it is produced using renewable energy and low-emissions production methods.


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