The first melting of the new electric arc furnace in Oxelösund is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. This furnace will not only play a crucial role in realizing SSAB’s transformation plans towards fossil-free production, but will also reduce total CO2 emissions in Sweden by 3 %.
Such a plant is powered by a 280 MVA transformer and requires state-of-the-art technology to meet the grid authority’s requirements for flicker, power factor and harmonic distortion.
SSAB has now commissioned SMS group to integrate a GE Vernova direct feed (DF) supply solution into the new furnace in Oxelösund. The technology used at SSAB is indispensable, as it ensures smooth and economical operation of the new electric arc furnace without grid disturbances and thus contributes to reducing CO2 emissions.
Efficiency by SMS
“This is the most efficient digital electric arc furnace ever developed;” says Andrea Lanari, Vice-President Metallurgy Steelmaking at SMS group, ”the combination of SMS process/plant knowledge with GE Vernova’s background in grid and converter control is a unique resource and we can offer it to SSAB on its path to decarbonization.”
The Direct Feed system supplied by GE Vernova’s Power Conversion division, based on modular multilevel converter (MMC) technology, is an indirect power supply based on injection-enhanced gate transistor (IEGT) technology specifically designed for EAFs, ensuring smooth and economical operation of the new EAF without grid disturbances. This system uses modern technology to guarantee high grid quality and reliability.
Jan Heimann, Executive Vice President of SMS group: “This project is a significant step forward on our way to sustainable steel production. Powering the furnace with a fast digital control system will enable SSAB to achieve its targets in terms of grid quality and efficiency. We are pleased to contribute to a project that sets standards for the entire industry.”
Meeting quality standards at SSAB
“Our power supply system was chosen because it helps the Oxelösund plant to meet high power quality standards,” said Ed Torres, Business Line Leader & COO of GE Vernova’s Power Conversion business. “The deployment of our system is linked to the expectation that the plant will reduce electrical disturbances and operate more efficiently. This is a crucial step in making steel production cleaner and reducing CO2 emissions in the industry.”
To achieve the desired contribution to the power quality of the EAF and also the grid power requirements, the system comprises two parallel converter units 300 and 400 m away from the EAF respectively, which are connected directly to the 34 kV busbar. This design reduces flicker and ensures very low harmonic distortion and a uniform power factor.
