Energy saving measures
There is a close link between energy intensity and emissions performance and energy optimisation is therefore an important element of our emissions reduction strategy.
Initiatives for optimising energy use are in place at our integrated sites and at other sites across the Company. Some examples are listed below and in the adjoining case study.
- Corus Strip Products, IJmuiden, launched its YmGreen programme to achieve CO2 emissions reductions from in and around the site. The operational feasibility of High Efficiency Combustion burners for furnaces is being tested for use across the site, with a projected increase in burner energy efficiency of 20%.
- Corus Special Strip, Trier, has assessed routes to optimise waste heat from the process and analysed the heat loss from the manufacturing building itself.
- At Corus Engineering Steels, Rotherham, a major programme of restructuring has resulted in a number of significant energy efficiencies. The commissioning of a new small bloom continuous caster that eliminates the requirement for primary rolling, and the more efficient use of carbon and oxygen additions in the arc furnaces has achieved a 28% reduction in direct and indirect CO2 emissions per tonne since 2005.
- At Corus Rail, Hayange, we have invested in new automation and optimisation computer systems to improve control on the reheating furnaces and reduce our energy consumption by 11%.
- Corus Colors, Tafarnaubach, will realise substantial CO2 emissions reductions from lighting improvements alone. Initiatives to date include light intensity sensors in the production bays and motion detection sensors in storage areas.
- Teesside Cast Products has been working with the Carbon Trust to audit the energy efficiency of its operations as part of a regional project with OneNorth East.
Our energy performance is on an improving trend and we expect this to accelerate in 2008 with the assistance of our newly established Energy Efficiency Task Team, which will work with the Divisions to identify and facilitate energy optimisation schemes across all our sites. An Energy Optimisation Platform has also been established to exchange best practices between our sites.
