Disruptive innovations can help achieve transition to net-zero, says Minister
Ministry of Steel has identified focus areas to decarbonise the country’s steel sector and have implemented Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Model Projects for Energy Efficiency Improvement.
Minister of State for Steel Faggan Singh Kulaste gave this update to Rajya Sabha on 31 July 2023, pointing out that the short term (FY 2030) focus will be on reduction of carbon emissions in the steel industry through promotion of energy and resource efficiency, greater use of renewable energy etc.
For the medium term (2030-2047), Green Hydrogen based steel making and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage are the focus areas. For the long term (2047-2070), disruptive alternative technological innovations can help achieve the transition to net-zero.
He listed steps taken by the government for promoting decarbonisation in steel industry:
13 Task Forces had been constituted with the engagement of industry, academia, think tanks, S&T bodies, different Ministries and other stakeholders to discuss, deliberate and recommend upon different levers of decarbonisation of steel sector.
Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019 enhances the availability of domestically generated scrap to reduce the consumption of coal in steel making.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced the National Green Hydrogen Mission for green hydrogen production and usage. The steel sector has also been made a stakeholder in the Mission.
Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicles Scrapping Facility) Rules September 2021, envisages to increase availability of scrap in the steel sector.
National Solar Mission launched by MNRE in January 2010 promotes the use of solar energy and also helps reduce the emission of steel industry.
Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, under National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, incentivizes steel industry to reduce energy consumption.
The steel sector has adopted the Best Available Technologies (BAT) available globally, in the modernization & expansions projects.
The Ministry of Steel is also continuously engaging in discussions with various stakeholders towards decarbonisation of the steel sector. Fiinews.com
