Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH (Salzgitter, Germany):

Schaper R., Mag. Eng., Head of Power Engineering Facilities, e-mail: shaper.r@salzgitter-ag.de

In the last seven years, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH (SZFG) invested more than normal in energy efficiency technology. Therefore SZFG was distinguished by the Deutsche Energie Agentur (dena) with the Energy Efficiency Award. Beside the strategic approach in the project „EnergieEffizienz” and the optimization of using recycling gases with the new construction of the majority of the power plant, a lot of partly innovative single measures were mentioned by the jury in the laudation for the first prize of the Energy Effi ciency Award. In the following, our focus is on the strategic approach as well as on some selected single measures. Power-intensive production is already optimized meaning substantial effect of energy expenses on on cost of products. It is shown that the most part of required energy at integrated metallurgical works is used twice, owing to usage of waste gases. The further progress in efficiency of energy consumption can be connected with active team work of different departments. It is concluded that providing of power efficiency of production is stipulated not only by some bureaucratic procedures, but mainly by highskilled and motivated personnel, support of top management and favourable conditions for long-term investments. Regeneration of emitting heat will provide additional advantages in the future, but not at present time, when such energy generation is taxed.