bp & ARENA confirm feasibility of large-scale green ammonia production in Western Australia

By Julian Atchison on August 18, 2021

bp and ARENA’s eighteen-month feasibility study into the Geraldton Export-Scale Renewable Investment (GERI) project wrapped up this week – with encouraging results. The two organisations conclude that:

Western Australia is an ideal place to develop large scale renewable energy assets that can in turn produce green hydrogen and/or green ammonia for domestic and export markets.

bp press release, 11 Aug 2021
Renewable Hydrogen and Ammonia in Western Australia Feasibility Study from GHD Advisory, bp and ARENA.
Click to access the study report. Renewable Hydrogen and Ammonia Feasibility Study from GHD Advisory, bp and ARENA.

The GERI project is one of several green mega-projects planned for West Australia. The Asian Renewable Energy Hub, the Western Green Energy Hub, Province Resource’s HyEnergy project and a potential Gascoyne project from Fortescue Future Industries (no details formally announced) have all been in the Ammonia Energy headlines this year.

Roadblocks noted, “clear pathway” emerges

First announced in May 2020, the GERI study explored renewable hydrogen and ammonia production powered by wind, solar and battery storage at two scales: demonstration (20,000 tonnes ammonia per year) and commercial (1 million tonnes of ammonia per year). bp and ARENA did find several roadblocks to overcome:

– depending on the location and scale, significant additional infrastructure investment would be required – particularly for port, electricity and water services,

– renewable hydrogen and ammonia markets need to be further advanced (for) economic returns to be effectively understood, and

– significant scale will be required for general hydrogen fuel use to be commercially viable.

bp press release, 11 Aug 2021

But the study leaders were positive the results were a step in the right direction. Jason Fonti, value chain leader at study support partner GHD Advisory, said

The magic figure is producing hydrogen below $2 per kilo and the pathway to get there is becoming clearer. The study has highlighted that, through innovation, talent, commitment and collaboration, Western Australia can become one of the major exporters of hydrogen in the global market.”

bp press release, 11 Aug 2021

More on Western Australia at our upcoming online conference

West Australia (WA) takes center stage at next week’s online Australia conference:

  • The Hon. Alannah MacTiernan MLC, WA Minister for Regional Development, Food & Agriculture and Hydrogen Industry will open our conference with a keynote address, followed by a brief chat with CWP Global’s Andrew Dickson (Asian Renewable Energy Hub Development Manager and AEA Australia Committee chair)
  • InterContinental Energy’s Alicia Eastman will discuss her organisation’s portfolio of WA green mega-projects in our second panel session – a showcase of Australian export projects
  • (Also in the showcase session) Yara’s Luke Blackbourn will update us on the decarbonisation of Yara Pilbara Fertilisers, and the steps being taken towards green ammonia production at the WA production plant
  • and Oceania Marine Energy’s Nick Bentley joins us in our fourth panel session (a quickfire look at cutting-edge innovation and R&D) to outline his organisation’s vision for ammonia-powered shipping off the coast of northern WA

Don’t miss out, register today!