Renewable energy needs more than sun and wind – it needs the right steel

Renewable energy – also known as regenerative or sustainable energy – are energy sources that, unlike fossil fuels, renew naturally in a comparatively short time. They arise from ongoing geophysical or biological processes and are therefore theoretically available indefinitely. The most important forms of renewable energy are solar energy (photovoltaics and solar thermal), wind power, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy. 

Their crucial advantage is that they release no or only very small amounts of greenhouse gases like CO₂, thereby making a central contribution to reducing global warming. In contrast, fossil energy sources like coal, oil, and natural gas are finite, their combustion burdens the climate, and their extraction is often associated with ecological and geopolitical risks. 

Renewable energies are also characterized by a wide range of applications – from decentralized power generation in private households to supplying large industrial plants. They are an essential component of a sustainable energy infrastructure and a prerequisite for achieving international climate goals like the Paris Agreement or the European Green Deal. 

The transition to renewable energies, however, does not just mean replacing one energy source with another – it requires a fundamental restructuring of entire energy systems: new grid infrastructures, modern storage solutions, and adapted materials. In this context, reliable materials such as high-quality steels play a crucial role – as supporting, protective, and functional elements in almost every energy application. 

Renewable energies today no longer consist only of solar panels and wind turbines – they encompass a wide range of modern technologies with highly diverse requirements. These include, among others: 

• Wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, with enormous mechanical stresses from wind and waves
• Photovoltaic systems, whose supporting structures must economically and durably maintain large collector areas under all weather conditions for decades
• Hydropower plants, which rely on resistant components in moist, abrasive environments
• Geothermal plants, which must withstand extreme temperatures and corrosion conditions 

• Hydrogen infrastructure, which must be safely operated under very high pressures and changing conditions 

   

All these technologies are highly material-intensive. They pose very specific requirements on the components used – not only in development but also throughout their entire lifespan. Added to this are new concepts such as hybrid storage solutions, grid expansion, or floating offshore systems, which require additional material innovations. 

The material as a silent enabler 

As different as the technologies are, one of their central prerequisites is uniform: the availability of suitable materials. These must: 

• permanently withstand high mechanical stresses,
• resist corrosive and thermal influences,
• be easily workable and economical at the same time,
• meet high environmental and safety standards 

• and increasingly also meet the demands for sustainability and traceability. 

   

In this mix, steel – and especially customized quality steel – proves to be the backbone of the energy transition. Its versatility, strength, durability, and adaptability make it indispensable in almost all areas of energy technology. 

When discussing future technologies, the term "steel" rarely comes up immediately. Yet it is precisely this material that is embedded in almost every central element of the energy transition—often invisible but essential. Whether in the foundation of an offshore wind farm, in the shaft of a turbine, or inside a hydrogen compressor: without high-quality, specifically tailored steel, the energy transition would be neither technically nor economically feasible. 

Material properties that make a difference 

The physical and chemical requirements for components in energy technology are enormous. Steel offers a uniquely tailored property profile: 

• High mechanical strength – even under cyclic continuous load or with large rotor diameters 
• Good weldability and machinability – crucial for complex component geometries and repairability 
• Temperature and corrosion resistance – e.g., for geothermal drill strings or offshore components 
• Low susceptibility to material failure through fractures – due to high toughness or resistance to embrittlement, triggered, for example, by hydrogen or by low temperatures 

• Recyclability & circular potential – steel is almost infinitely recyclable without loss of quality 

   

Thus, steel combines economic efficiency, safety, and durability – three essential criteria for any energy technology investment, typically designed for operational periods of 20, 30, or even 50 years. 

Material diversity for technological diversity 

The energy transition is not a monolithic project—it thrives on diversity: technologies, operating conditions, and functional principles. Accordingly, it does not require "one steel" but a wide portfolio of specially adapted steel grades, alloys, and refinements: 

• Unalloyed structural steels for support structures 
• Tempered steels for highly stressed machine parts 
• Stainless steels for moist or aggressive environments 
• Highly alloyed, corrosion- and hydrogen-resistant steels for critical applications 

• Heat-resistant materials for high operating temperatures 

   

This diversity is not only a technological advantage—it also allows for targeted material savings, weight reduction, and more efficient processes. Thus, using the "right steel" in construction can both extend the lifespan and improve the ecological and economic overall balance. 

Steel surpasses traditional lightweight materials—in many cases 

Although lightweight materials such as aluminum or fiber-reinforced plastics are also used in energy technology, steel is the superior choice in many applications: 

• More cost-effective in production and processing 
• Better mechanical properties at comparable volume 
• More sustainable thanks to established recycling infrastructure 

• Robust against temperature and weather influences 

   

Especially for safety-critical components—such as in offshore environments or under high pressure—steel is indispensable due to its reliability. 

Wind Energy – Heavy Load under Continuous Stress 

Modern wind turbines are among the largest movable machines in the world. The stresses on rotating parts, connecting elements, and supporting structures are enormous – requiring high-strength yet ductile materials. 

Typical Applications: 

• Rotor shafts and main shafts & gearbox components: high alternating loads, excellent toughness required
• Bolts & connecting parts: enormous tensile forces & corrosion resistance
• Tower elements & support structures: high stability with the lowest possible weight 

Swiss Steel Group supplies specially alloyed quenched and tempered steels for these components, guaranteeing reliable performance even under cold fracture or fatigue requirements. 

Hydropower – Precision under High Pressure 

In hydropower plants, abrasive media, fluctuating pressures, and high rotational speeds act on critical components. Here, corrosion and erosion resistance are particularly required – in addition to dimensional accuracy and material homogeneity. 

Typical Applications: 

• Turbine shafts & impellers
• Guide vanes & bearing shells
• Hydraulic components & bolts 

Swiss Steel Group offers highly alloyed stainless steels with excellent formability and durability – optimal for applications in constantly humid or aggressive media. 

Hydrogen – Material Safety with New Challenges 

The hydrogen economy is on the verge of a boom – but it brings its own material requirements: hydrogen embrittlement, extremely high pressures, tightness. Here, steel quality determines safety and system stability. 

Typical Applications: 

• Compressor and pump shafts
• High-pressure tanks & pipelines
• Sealing and valve components 

Swiss Steel Group develops and supplies H₂-compatible stainless steels with defined fracture toughness and hydrogen resistance – even for 700 bar and more. 

Photovoltaics – Light, Stable, Durable 

Even though photovoltaics are primarily associated with silicon, steel plays a central role – as a support, mounting, or tracking system. 

Typical Applications: 

• Structures for PV fields & large installations
• Tracker systems (single or dual-axis)
• Frame and connecting components 

Swiss Steel Group supplies manufacturers with weather-resistant construction steels – often surface-treated for extended service life. 

Other Application Areas in the Energy Industry 

• Geothermal Energy: heat and corrosion-resistant special steels for drill pipes, pump housings, deep drilling technology
• Offshore Applications: seawater-resistant stainless steels, shafts, protective components
• Transformer Technology: steels with optimized magnetic properties
• Biomass / Waste-to-Energy: materials suitable for combustion chambers, abrasive conveying components

Based on the diversity of energy markets, Swiss Steel Group covers a broad spectrum of steel grades: 

• Quenched and tempered steels (e.g., 42CrMo4, 34CrNiMo6) for dynamically stressed components 
• Case-hardening steels (e.g., 18CrNiMo7-6) with high surface hardness and tough core structure 
• Stainless steels (e.g., 1.4301, 1.4462, 1.4542) for aggressive media 

• Special alloys for high pressure, heat resistance, or hydrogen resistance 

   

All these materials are produced using state-of-the-art melting and forming technologies. 

Engineering Excellence & Quality Management 

Highly critical components for energy plants place the highest demands on manufacturing tolerances, testing systems, and quality verification. Swiss Steel Group offers: 

• Certified quality assurance according to international standards 
• Destructive and non-destructive testing methods & documentation 
• Traceability & data availability for digital product passports 

• Material data sheets, test certificates & application consulting 

   

This ensures that customers can be confident that every product—from prototype to series batch—meets technical and regulatory requirements. 

The energy industry is not standing still – on the contrary: Technologies are changing rapidly, regulations are tightening, and customer needs are becoming more specific.  

Material development for new energy requirements 

Many future technologies – such as hydrogen mobility, floating offshore installations, or geothermal deep drilling – bring previously unknown stress profiles. Challenges such as: 

• Hydrogen embrittlement 
• Combined pressure/temperature loads 
• Corrosion from saline or acidic media 
• Energy efficiency through lightweight construction materials 

…demand specially developed alloys and heat treatments. Swiss Steel Group is specifically investing in: 

• H₂-compatible stainless steels 
• Duplex and super duplex steels with high corrosion resistance 
• Tempering steels with improved toughness at low temperatures 

• Materials for additive manufacturing in energy component production 

   

These developments do not occur in the laboratory alone – but in collaboration with customers, universities, plant manufacturers, and testing institutes. 

Certifications, compliance & sustainable supply chains 

Especially in energy technology, regulatory compliance is essential. Swiss Steel Group secures its processes through: 

• International standards (ISO, DIN, ASTM, EN, DNV etc.) 
• Customer-specific approvals & QS audits 
• Supply chain transparency through traceability & sustainability evidence 
• Efforts to reduce CO₂ and promote the circular economy 

The transformation of the global energy system is not a short-term trend, but a generational task – complex, capital-intensive, and crucial for the future of our planet. Yet, no matter how visionary the ideas, how digital the control, and how green the electricity may be: Without physically robust components that reliably generate, store, and transport energy, every energy transition remains theoretical.  

Steel remains – even in the energy world of tomorrow 

It is the material that can adapt where others reach their limits. It withstands enormous forces, resists corrosion, carries loads, and ensures safety. Whether in wind turbines, hydrogen pipelines, or submarine cables – steel is the supporting pillar in the engine room of the energy transition. And with every technological advancement, the demands on this material also increase: higher pressures, more extreme temperatures, longer lifespans, stricter standards. 

Swiss Steel Group as a pillar in the energy landscape 

Swiss Steel Group is ready to help shape this change – not as an anonymous steel corporation, but as a close partner of the energy industry. With: 

• a deep understanding of application-specific requirements,
• a broad portfolio of highly specialized materials,
• an international presence with local proximity to customers,
• certified quality and innovative strength, 

• as well as a clear focus on sustainable future applications. 

   

What Swiss Steel Group delivers is not just material – but trust in function, safety, and durability.