British Steel secures government funding for green hydrogen research

British Steel has received funding from the UK government to conduct a feasibility study on switching from natural gas to green hydrogen as the fuel source for its reheat furnaces.

If the study is successful, British Steel will conduct an industrial-scale demonstration during which the technology will be developed and deployed at all of its sites, including at its main production base in Scunthorpe. It could also be adopted by other British steelmakers, Callanish said.

Funding was secured through the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP), coordinated by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). British Steel, along with partners EDF UK, University College London and the Institute for Machining Materials, is conducting a six-month study based on the operation of its Teesside beam mill.

The study is linked to the Tees Green Hydrogen project, a green hydrogen production center to be set up by EDF Renewables UK and Hynamics in the Tees Valley which, among other local businesses, will supply British Steel (see Callanish).

“As part of the feasibility study, EDF UK R&D will conduct a feasibility study on the methodology and feasibility of delivering green hydrogen for fuel switching in the steelmaking process, and British Steel will assess the technical implications of switching to product and process,” says Head of Research and Development British Steel Gary Harris.

British Steel has committed to deliver net zero steel by 2050 and significantly reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and 2035. a route using hot briquetted iron and an assessment of carbon capture and storage, as well as steelmaking in electric arc furnaces.