Energies, Vol. 19, Pages 803: Enhancing Grid Independence and Profitability for Steelmakers Through Optimized Solar Consumption

Energies, Vol. 19, Pages 803: Enhancing Grid Independence and Profitability for Steelmakers Through Optimized Solar Consumption

Energies doi: 10.3390/en19030803

Authors:
Bin Li
Samrawit Bzayene Fesseha
Bing Qi
Songsong Chen
Feixiang Gong

The iron and steel sector, a major global emitter, requires innovative strategies to achieve decarbonization. This study introduces a novel multi-method framework designed to maximize solar energy integration within steel plants. The approach synergizes three core elements: a Bayesian model for probabilistic solar forecasting, a dynamic system for aligning flexible production loads with renewable generation, and a Stackelberg game model to optimize economic participation in energy markets. When applied to a representative facility, the framework achieved a 37.5% solar penetration rate, drastically cutting grid dependence and operational costs without disrupting production. The findings validate a viable pathway for heavy industry to harmonize economic and environmental goals, with future work poised to integrate energy storage and detailed carbon accounting.