Electric Arc Furnaces Power Forecasting & Intelligent Decision Support

Purpose and Objectives

The project ELIN aims to develop advanced data-driven decision-support systems focused on electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and their interaction with the electricity market. The objective is to improve electricity consumption forecasting, provide better support for electricity market bidding, and offer real-time assistance to operators and decision-makers. This will enable more effective production planning and reduced electricity costs.

Challenge

Electric arc furnaces are highly electricity-intensive and characterized by fluctuating power demand that is difficult to forecast with the level of accuracy, time resolution, and planning horizon required by today's electricity markets. When actual electricity consumption deviates from planned electricity procurement, significant imbalance costs can arise, affecting both profitability and production planning.

At the same time, there is a lack of tools capable of translating forecasts and operational data into concrete actions, making it difficult for industrial companies to respond flexibly and remain competitive in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

Solution

ELIN is developing a combination of a digital twin, AI-based forecasting models, and operational decision-support tools. The solution consists of both a forecasting tool that improves electricity demand predictions ahead of electricity market bidding and a real-time operator support system that optimizes energy usage during operations.

Through continuous data analysis and simulation of different operational scenarios, operators can adjust production processes and more closely adhere to planned electricity consumption. The solution also creates opportunities for integration with other flexible energy resources, such as battery storage systems and hydrogen production.

Impact

The project is expected to reduce imbalance costs, improve energy efficiency, and strengthen the competitiveness of the steel industry. It will contribute to greater flexibility in the power system and enable closer alignment between industrial operations and energy markets.

At a societal level, the project supports the transition to fossil-free steel production and contributes to reducing carbon emissions, in line with global sustainability goals for climate action and sustainable industry.i.