� GREEN DRI �
How to fuel DRI with green hydrogen: A step towards reality?
A decarbonization pathway in the steel industry involves using hydrogen in DRI. Several projects have been announced, with some already transitioning to green steel, awaiting the establishment of a hydrogen economy. A reliable green power system is essential for producing the required hydrogen. This article develops energy systems based on intermittent renewable sources, mainly wind and photovoltaic( PV) generators, to deliver a constant hydrogen flow into the DRI process. It discusses electrolyzer operations within various energy systems, using weather data from three countries over one year and integrating battery energy storage systems( BESS). All systems are sized to produce the hydrogen needed for a 1 Mt DRI plant.
By Dr. Thorsten Krol and Ivan Gonzalez Jimenez, Siemens Energy
The energy system
To produce green steel, green hydrogen is required using renewable energy sources( RES; see 1 in Figure 1). Due to limited hydropower in many countries, onshore wind or photovoltaic( PV) systems will be evaluated to operate the electrolyzers.
If connected to the grid, the power from thermal generators( 1a) could also be used for hydrogen production to close the availability gap in RES generation. In this case, appropriate green power certification is necessary, limiting green hydrogen production.
Off-grid projects require electrolyzer technologies with high operational flexibility to utilize intermittent renewable power. Integrating BESS( 2) into the energy system – from green power generation to the DRI furnace – is essential to optimize capital and
Green Steel World | Issue 18 | June 2025 33