Validation and further application of a coupled cellular automata - finite element model to investigate the influence of the degree of deformation on static recrystallization kinetics (SRX) during annealing of low carbon steels after cold rolling is presented within the work. Descriptions of major model components involving digital material representation finite element model as well as cellular automata approach for explicit static recrystallization simulations are presented. Obtained SRX results for various heating rates after 65% rolling reduction are validated with experimental data to assess the model's predictive capabilities. Finally, the validated model is used to investigate the influence of inhomogeneous energy distribution, obtained in the sample after rolling to 35, 50 and 65% reductions, on static recrystallization kinetics and grain size evolution. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.