Unterwellenborn steel mill in the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district is poised to undergo a profound transformation. The mill’s energy supply will soon be bolstered by the infusion of hydrogen, harnessed through the power of renewable sources.
Bavarian Ferngas Service & Management GmbH, operating from Schwaig near Nuremberg, in collaboration with the Unterwellenborn steelworks, has unveiled plans to connect the steel mill to a hydrogen network, marking a significant stride towards environmentally conscious steel production.
The partnership between Ferngas Netzgesellschaft, a key player in the field of network operations, and Unterwellenborn steelworks is set to reshape the energy landscape of the mill. The strategic plan entails the conversion of an existing natural gas pipeline spanning approximately 70 kilometers, effectively repurposing it for hydrogen transmission from the Erfurt region to Unterwellenborn.
Scheduled to be integrated into the burgeoning hydrogen core network scheduled for Germany, the Unterwellenborn steel mill’s transition to green hydrogen is laden with implications for both the environment and the industrial sector. The adoption of green hydrogen, synthesized using renewable energies, promises to significantly reduce the mill’s carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.
The green hydrogen supply holds particular significance for the steel mill, which already demonstrates its commitment to sustainable practices through its use of green electricity. By augmenting its operations with green hydrogen, the mill embarks on a path towards achieving largely CO2-free steel production—an ambition poised to reshape the steel manufacturing landscape.
Alexander Stolze, the authorized representative of Stahlwerk Thüringen GmbH, articulated the profound impact of this transition, stating, “The connection to the hydrogen network will maintain our competitiveness and strengthen Stahlwerk Thüringen as a center of low-emission steel production.”
This transformative endeavor holds not only environmental implications but also strategic advantages. The steelworks, owned by the Brazilian steel group Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN) since 2012, employs approximately 750 individuals and specializes in producing steel beams for diverse applications. By adopting a forward-looking approach and embracing the potential of green hydrogen, the steelworks secures its relevance in an evolving industrial landscape and contributes to a more sustainable future.
As Unterwellenborn steel mill ventures into a new era of energy sourcing, its collaboration with Ferngas Netzgesellschaft serves as a testament to the pivotal role that innovative partnerships play in steering traditional industries towards eco-friendly horizons.
