The Role of Hydrogen in Decarbonizing U.S. Iron and Steel Production.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the role of hydrogen as a decarbonization strategy for the iron and steel industry in the United States (U.S.) in the presence of an economy-wide net zero CO₂ emissions target. Our analysis shows that hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (H₂DRI) provides a cost-effective decarbonization strategy only under a relatively narrow set of conditions. Using today's best estimates of the capital and variable costs of alternative decarbonized iron and steelmaking technologies in a U.S. economy-wide simulation framework, we find that carbon capture technologies can achieve comparable decarbonization levels by 2050 and greater cumulative emissions reductions from iron and steel production at a lower cost. Simulations suggest hydrogen contributes to economy-

SUBMITTER: Jordan KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11924224 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature