How much energy is required to produce an aluminum ingot?

The energy required to produce an aluminum ingot varies based on production methods and efficiency. On average, it takes about 14 to 25 kWh of electricity to produce one kilogram of aluminum. This high energy consumption is due to the electrolytic process used to extract aluminum from its ore, bauxite. The Hall-H茅roult process is the dominant method, which involves passing an electric current through a bath of molten cryolite to reduce aluminum oxide to aluminum metal. Energy efficiency in aluminum production has been improving, but it remains a significant factor in the overall carbon footprint of aluminum products.