Steel plant-level technology innovations could diffuse cascading carbon emission reduction: Taking an iron and steel enterprise in Northwest China as a case study

Abstract

Deep decarbonization of the iron and steel sector is essential to achieving national net-zero targets. However, national and sectoral roadmaps provide limited guidance for individual plants with diverse operating conditions and technical configurations. This study develops a plant-level model for a representative Chinese steelmaking process. The model combines a multi-technology spectrum with a two-way cascading transmission model to quantify the diffusion of technological impacts and identify priority pathways towards carbon neutrality. The 76 low-carbon innovation technologies provide an indirect carbon reduction potential of 15,208 t/d, 2.1 times their direct potential. Technologies for energy-mix adjustment, intelligent control, and energy recovery and utilisation technologies account for 75% of thecomprehensive reduction potential. Blast furnace (BF)-related technologies account for 83% of this amount, and 76% is transmitted through one-step and two-step pathways involving the BF, coking, and basic oxygen furnace (BOF). The BF, BOF, and coking nodes together account for 80% of the comprehensive potential and diffuse 9133 t/d (60%) indirectly. This plant-level evaluation provides a scientific basis for the targeted decarbonization of comparable integrated steel plant and offers transferable evidence for regional and national low-carbon transitions.