Steel

Image of hot strip mill at Burns Harbor, and the largest electrical-power consumer with about half of the energy going to power pumps and fans.

Photo credit: Bethlehem Steel

Steelmaking

Steel is the material of choice for many elements of construction, transportation, manufacturing, and a variety of consumer products. The energy sector is expected to generate significant demand for steel over the next decade as the nation's energy infrastructure undergoes further development.

Valued for its strength, steel has also become the most recycled material. See our steel industry profile for more information.

The steelmaking industry has significantly lowered its energy use over the past several decades. The U.S. steel industry has worked with AMO to develop a range of resources to assist in lowering the energy and carbon intensity of steelmaking.

Some current R&D projects and Energy Management resources will benefit the industry.

Analytical Studies & Other Publications

Manufacturing Energy and Carbon Footprints provide a mapping of energy use, energy loss, and carbon emissions for selected industry sectors.
Steel Industry Marginal Opportunity Analysis (2005)
Hydrogen and Nitrogen Control in Ladling and Casting Operations (2005)

Documents for historical reference

Steel Industry Technology Roadmap (2000)

Theoretical Minimum Energies to Produce Steel for Selected Conditions (March 2000)

Energy Use in the U.S. Steel Industry: Historical Perspective and Future Opportunities (2000)

Energy and Environmental Profile of the U.S. Iron and Steel Industry (2000)

Ironmaking Process Alternatives Screening Study (2000)

Appendix A - Ironmaking Process Description and Background

Appendix B - Process Component Spreadsheets

Appendix C - Process Summary Spreadsheets

Appendix D - Listings of Detailed Process Spreadsheets

Appendix E - MetSim® Ironmaking Process Simulations

Appendix F - Summary of Consumables and Relative Cost Estimates

Appendix G - Rankings of Processes

Appendix H - Bibliography