Iron ore to steel only by electricity

Iron ore is actually rust mixed with stones. The formula FeO(OH) for rust is a significant simplification: rust is a complex mixture of many different oxides and hydroxides of iron. Some of them have names like Hematite Fe₂O₃ or Magnetite Fe₃O₄. If you want iron, you first have to remove the oxygen. This can be done either with carbon or hydrogen. With carbon, you get 2 kg of CO2 emissions per kg of iron, while with hydrogen you have to use about 4 kWh of electricity to produce the necessary hydrogen.

Changing the production of steel by ore: 2 kWh of electricity replaces 1 kg of CO2 emissions.

Cost optimization — the key to energy transition and climate protection
Paper written for the CORP.at conference March 22 to 25, 2026, in Vienna. My 2025 participation was a last-minute action, but now I have much time to prepare the paper.

Abstract
To meet the necessary cost optimization targets, we cannot hold the energy problem separate from all other problems: another major problem is housing.

Introduction
Many imaginations about our future had been created in the past with completely different parameters. Unchecked conclusions from the past endanger our future with unbearable costs.

My personal experience with a profitability transition
Birds can fly without knowing all the terms of aerodynamics. I reacted with my design change to an ongoing “profitability transition” without knowing the term at this time.

Energy transition
The long way from random electricity from sun and wind towards 24×365 electricity. Overseen profitability transitions have to be considered as major accidents.

The GEMINI principle: double usage of land
No better solar power plant, no better housing possible on the same ground is the ultimate target of the GEMINI principle.

Off-grid fast charging settlements
It can start small, somewhere in a village, with a single GEMINI house with a big PV carport and 100 kW DC charging.

Energy-intensive industry
I once developed a scale for off-grid solar possibilities depending on photovoltaic size. But now is to make a big jump upwards on this scale: running, energy-intensive industry.

Agriculture: How many square meters does a human need for his food?
Mankind started as hunters and gatherers. 12,000 years ago, 500,000 m² to 2,500,000 m² per human. With the agricultural revolution, the land use was reduced by 2 magnitudes.

Conclusion
All parameters are in a constant state of change. We have to check all the parameters and predict the development for the predictable future.

References
Roland Mösl: Energy Optimised Settlements – Enabler for Necessary Civilization Targets, Graz 2025

Iron ore to steel only by electricity: Iron ore is actually rust mixed with stones. If you want iron, you first have to remove the rust. This can be done either with carbon or hydrogen. https://climate.pege.org/2026/iron-ore-to-steel.htm

Abstract
	To meet the necessary cost optimization targets, we cannot hold the energy problem separate from all other problems: another major problem is housing.

Introduction
	Many imaginations about our future had been created in the past with completely different parameters. Unchecked conclusions from the past endanger our future with unbearable costs.

My personal experience with a profitability transition
	Birds can fly without knowing all the terms of aerodynamics. I reacted with my design change to an ongoing “profitability transition” without knowing the term at this time.

Energy transition
	The long way from random electricity from sun and wind towards 24×365 electricity. Overseen profitability transitions have to be considered as major accidents.

The GEMINI principle: double usage of land
	No better solar power plant, no better housing possible on the same ground is the ultimate target of the GEMINI principle.

Off-grid fast charging settlements
	It can start small, somewhere in a village, with a single GEMINI house with a big PV carport and 100 kW DC charging.

Energy-intensive industry
	I once developed a scale for off-grid solar possibilities depending on photovoltaic size. But now is to make a big jump upwards on this scale: running, energy-intensive industry.

Agriculture: How many square meters does a human need for his food?
	Mankind started as hunters and gatherers. 12,000 years ago, 500,000 m² to 2,500,000 m² per human. With the agricultural revolution, the land use was reduced by 2 magnitudes.

Conclusion
	All parameters are in a constant state of change. We have to check all the parameters and predict the development for the predictable future.

References
	Roland Mösl: Energy Optimised Settlements – Enabler for Necessary Civilization Targets, Graz 2025