Steel Pilot Program
A Structured Path to Waste Heat Recovery in Steel Production
NISO Energy is preparing a steel-industry pilot program and seeking a qualified host facility. This page explains the proposed process, preferred site characteristics and next steps.
Why Steel First
Steel production generates substantial, recurring heat from reheat furnaces, electric-arc-furnace cycles, exhaust systems, hot surfaces, casting operations and product-handling areas. Some of these sources may be suitable for modular heat recovery without interfering with the primary process.
NISO is developing thermoelectric systems for selected industrial heat sources. Suitability, thermal management, durability and economics must be validated for each application.
A successful steel pilot would establish an industrial performance baseline and inform future commercial deployment.
How the System Works
Heat flowing through thermoelectric materials from a hot side to a cooled side creates a DC voltage through the Seebeck effect. Effective conversion requires controlled heat capture, continuous cold-side heat rejection and electrical conditioning before the generated power can be used by the facility.
Industrial heat source
Furnace / exhaust / surface
Heat-capture interface
Controlled heat transfer
Thermoelectric module array
Thermoelectric conversion
Cold-side heat rejection
Heat dissipation
DC collection and power conditioning
DC → AC conversion
On-site electrical load
On-site consumption
Industrial heat source
Furnace / exhaust / surface
Heat-capture interface
Controlled heat transfer
Thermoelectric module array
Thermoelectric conversion
Cold-side heat rejection
Heat dissipation
DC collection and power conditioning
DC → AC conversion
On-site electrical load
On-site consumption
Cold-side heat rejection is a required element of the system design. The method — air cooling, water cooling, or other — is determined during the technical feasibility review for each application.
How the Pilot Is Structured
The pilot is designed to minimize interference with the host facility while generating meaningful performance data.
- 01
Screen
Determine initial fit and identify the information required.
- 02
Assess
Review the heat source, operating profile, access, cooling requirements, electrical integration and preliminary economics.
- 03
Define
Agree on responsibilities, funding, measurements and success criteria.
- 04
Pilot & Validate
Install and monitor the agreed pilot configuration.
- 05
Verify
Review measured performance, reliability and operating results.
- 06
Commercialize & Scale
If technical and financial requirements are met, NISO and the host define the appropriate ownership, financing and commercial structure for deployment.
What Each Party Contributes
| Host facility provides | NISO coordinates | Host receives |
|---|---|---|
| General heat-source and operating information | Initial fit assessment | Fit assessment |
| Engineering and safety contact | Technical feasibility review | Preliminary application concept |
| Appropriate site access | Preliminary system architecture | Defined pilot proposal |
| Data under agreed confidentiality | Pilot scope and measurement plan | Agreed validation criteria |
| Participation in integration decisions | Engineering and installation-partner coordination | Performance and reliability report |
| — | Performance analysis and reporting | Commercial-deployment recommendation |
Host facility provides
General heat-source and operating information
NISO coordinates
Initial fit assessment
Host receives
Fit assessment
Host facility provides
Engineering and safety contact
NISO coordinates
Technical feasibility review
Host receives
Preliminary application concept
Host facility provides
Appropriate site access
NISO coordinates
Preliminary system architecture
Host receives
Defined pilot proposal
Host facility provides
Data under agreed confidentiality
NISO coordinates
Pilot scope and measurement plan
Host receives
Agreed validation criteria
Host facility provides
Participation in integration decisions
NISO coordinates
Engineering and installation-partner coordination
Host receives
Performance and reliability report
Host facility provides
—
NISO coordinates
Performance analysis and reporting
Host receives
Commercial-deployment recommendation
Host-Site Criteria
NISO is looking for facilities with the following characteristics. Suitability is assessed through the feasibility process; no single criterion, including source temperature, determines fit.
Heat availability
Sustained or reliably recurring heat availability.
Measurable source conditions
Source conditions that can be characterized and monitored.
Practical cold-side heat rejection
A viable method of cold-side heat rejection — air, water or other — is a required element of every application.
Safe physical access
Safe and accessible installation area that does not interfere with the primary process.
Electrical integration
Ability to connect generated power to the facility's electrical system.
Designated engineering contact
A designated engineering, energy or maintenance contact at the facility.
Data-sharing willingness
Willingness to share appropriate operating data under confidentiality.
Expansion potential
Potential to expand after successful validation.
What the Pilot Will Deliver
Defined deliverables
- ✓Agreed pilot scope and measurement plan.
- ✓Transparent performance reporting.
- ✓Documentation of technical and commercial findings.
- ✓A clear recommendation regarding next steps.
Site-specific outcomes
- ◆Power output depends on actual heat-source conditions.
- ◆Schedule depends on engineering, access and approvals.
- ◆Commercial deployment depends on validated performance and economics.
- ◆A pilot proceeds only if feasibility confirms a suitable application.
Start a Conversation
NISO will review the submitted information and respond regarding potential next steps.
Please provide only general, non-confidential information. Detailed operating data can be exchanged under an appropriate confidentiality agreement.
This form is for industrial facility operators and engineering teams. Investor and partnership inquiries should use the relevant contact paths on the homepage.