The commitment to limit global warming to a maximum of two degrees Celsius requires a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors. The steel industry is responsible for around 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions from the energy system. Several projects have therefore been initiated to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in steelmaking.
Currently, the most widely used technology for primary steelmaking is the carbon-based blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route. Short and medium term, carbon capture and storage technologies (CCS) offer an opportunity to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from these production processes into the atmosphere. In the long term, hydrogen-based direct reduction (H-DR) and iron ore electrolysis are considered more promising solutions toward almost complete avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions.
However, in addition to the ecological advantages of these technologies, economic expenses must also be considered, which lead to an increase in the specific costs of crude steel production. In addition, an uncertain regulatory environment makes long-term decision-making more difficult. This requires supporting strategic decisions regarding the design of the transformation path toward sustainable steelmaking with quantitative techno-economic planning approaches.
Within the scope of a bachelor thesis or student research project, a structured literature analysis is to be conducted regarding approaches of strategic network and capacity planning of production companies. The aim of the work is to identify and classify publications. In this context, research gaps concerning quantitative planning approaches for shaping the transformation process of the steel industry are to be identified.
If you are interested, please contact Yannik Graupner.