R&D Open Platform for Industry Decarbonization
THE CHALLENGE
The steel industry contributes around 7% of global CO₂ emissions, with each ton of steel produced releasing an average of 1.63 tons of CO₂. This high emission rate poses a serious threat to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation efforts.
Traditional steel production methods rely heavily on fossil carbon (coal and natural gas) to effectively reduce the iron-oxides and provide energy to the process.
HYDRA DRIVING THE FUTURE
HYDRA is a research, development and innovation project coordinated by RINA-CSM and approved by the European Commission and the MIMIT (Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy) to decarbonize the steel production process through hydrogen-related technologies. The project, which is part of the IPCEI (“ Important Project of Common European Interest”), is funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU.
The HYDRA project seeks the transition to a fully H₂-based production process, drastically reducing at least 95% CO₂ emissions. This innovative approach not only aligns with global decarbonization goals but also sets a new standard for sustainability in heavy industries, leading to a more resilient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly steel sector.
Why Hydrogen?
The European Hydrogen Strategy sets clear and ambitious targets defined by the European Green Deal. To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU needs clean hydrogen.
Hydrogen in the energy transition
Hydrogen can be used:
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In connections to renewable energy sources to manage the discontinuity of energy availability and demand allowance to storing and distributing energy in different timing and places.
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In mobility and transport (e.g. automotive, trains, maritime and aviation sectors).
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As a feedstock in the strategic European energy intensive industries (hard-to-abate sectors), contributing to the decarbonization of clusters for which the core process cannot be efficiently electrified as requires high temperature (i.e. higher than 1000°C).
HYDRA Objectives
Create a pioneering industrial open living platform to develop, qualify, and validate hydrogen applications in the steel industry, driving forward the decarbonization of steelmaking processes.
Increase and boost expertise and knowledge for the industrial use of green hydrogen energy by establishing a dedicated H₂-Hub.
Support the decarbonization of the hard-to-abate sectors, specifically the steel industry, by designing and developing pilot plants and components for hydrogen use in industrial steel production scenario.
Develop and implement an advanced steel production pilot route at RINA-CSM Innovation Hub in Castel Romano to rigorously test hydrogen use as reducing agent and energy vector in the route. This state-of-the-art facility is composed of a direct iron ore reduction plant (DRI) with a subsequent Electric Arc Furnace (EAF).
The H₂-Hub will serve as an international center of excellence, featuring state-of-the-art experimental facilities dedicated to design, development, implementation and qualification of cutting-edge solutions, as well as technologies for energy transition and Industry 5.0.
With a focus on hydrogen utilization in energy-intensive industries, the H₂-Hub will also act as a training center:
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fostering the dissemination of knowledge,
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creating new skills and competences, and
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favouring clusters to promote hydrogen use in the energy transition.
95% reduction in CO₂ emissions
The HYDRA project aims to reduce CO₂ emissions from steel production at least 95%, from an average of 1.63 tons of CO2 per ton of steel to a few kilograms, significantly mitigating the industry’s environmental footprint.
6 Years
In 6 years, the HYDRA project foresees at RINA-CSM Innovation Hub in Castel Romano (Rome): a 30-meter high DRI plant, an EAF plant, and a secondary metallurgy. This platform will serve as the main tool for driving the steel sector to the sustainability goals.
€110 Million
Investment
Supported by €88 million funding from the European Commission’s NextGenerationEU program and the Italian Ministry of Enterprises, the HYDRA project highlights the significant financial commitment to sustainable industrial practices.