DeepSummary
The podcast discusses the race to develop green, zero-carbon steel production methods. Steel is a crucial material used in many industries, including those needed to fight climate change, but its production currently generates significant greenhouse gas emissions. Four key technologies are competing to decarbonize steel manufacturing: recycling, carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen, and electrolysis.
Recycling steel using electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy is an established method, but it alone cannot meet the demand for new steel. CCS has faced challenges with profitability and controversy. Hydrogen and electrolysis are emerging as promising solutions, with hydrogen being likened to Usain Bolt in its current lead and potential to become the cheapest option by 2050.
While no single technology can solve the problem independently, a combination of these methods in a "relay race" could significantly reduce steel emissions. The episode explores the advantages and limitations of each approach, with insights from industry experts and a focus on the frontrunner status of hydrogen-based steel production.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Steel production is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 8% of total emissions.
- Four main technologies are competing to decarbonize steel manufacturing: recycling, carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen, and electrolysis.
- Hydrogen is currently seen as the frontrunner, with the potential to become the cheapest green steel production method by 2050.
- No single technology can solve the problem independently; a combination of approaches in a "relay race" may be necessary.
- Demand for green steel is increasing, driven by automakers, consumer preferences, and government policies.
- Decarbonizing steel is crucial for fighting climate change, as steel is a key material used in renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicles.
- The episode uses the analogy of Usain Bolt to represent the current lead and potential of hydrogen in the race to green steel.
- Industry experts are optimistic about the future of zero-carbon steel production but acknowledge the challenges and limitations of each technology.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “When I started to explain that we want to replace coal that we use, and we want to use electricity, it's going to take about 10% of Sweden's total electricity consumption.“ by Martin Pei
- “I don't think we're actually going to make a lot of things better, not enough to make a real difference. I think there you're thinking about like a ten or 20% improvement, which means.“ by Julia Attwood
- “I do think it is a race, but I think it's a relay race. Because a lot of these things, you just exhaust their potential after a while.“ by Julia Attwood
- “Hydrogen has a lot of advantages. The simplest way to put it is that we think by 2050, making steel with hydrogen could be the cheapest way to do it.“ by Julia Attwood
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Episode Information
The Big Switch
Dr. Melissa Lott
4/21/22
Steel goes into pretty much everything around us – from buildings and bridges to the furniture in our homes. And decarbonizing the steel industry is essential because we need steel to decarbonize the world. Think about it. Solar panels, electric vehicles, even our power grid; steel goes into everything we need to fight climate change.
But there’s a problem. Steel manufacturing uses a lot of fossil fuels. It’s responsible for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
In this episode we break down the race to green, zero-carbon steel. It’s a competition among four key technologies: recycling, carbon capture and storage (CCS), electrolysis, and — everyone’s current favorite — hydrogen. Or, as we call it in this episode, the Usain Bolt of technology.
Guest Julia Attwood, head of advanced materials at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, profiles each of the competitors in this race and weighs in on which ones are best equipped to clean up the steel industry. We also take a look at how these competitors might actually work together.
Guests: Julia Attwood is head of advanced materials at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Martin Pei is chief technology officer at the Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB. Usain Bolt was not a guest but makes many cameos on this episode.
The Big Switch is produced by Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy in partnership with Post Script Media. This episode was produced by Alexandria Herr and Daniel Woldorff. Theme music and mixing by Sean Marquand. Story editing by Anne Bailey. A special thanks to Natalie Volk, Kirsten Smith and Kyu Lee. Our executive editor is Stephen Lacey.