Key elements of Japan’s Green Transformation (GX) push have been unveiled, including policy support for the implementation of ammonia energy solutions, and a $1 trillion total public-private investment package. A subsidy scheme to address the price difference between hydrogen, ammonia and fossil fuels is included, with a nominal price tag of $36 billion, running into the 2030s.
To design, build & operate a hydroelectric ammonia production plant fed by electrolytic hydrogen, what considerations need to be taken into account? Our recent episode of Ammonia Project Features explored this question, focusing on an upcoming project being developed in Paraguay by ATOME, URBAS and Casale. The use of surplus hydropower, existing industrial infrastructure, proactive engineering and commercially-available, flexible ammonia synthesis technologies all adds up to a less challenging task for developers, and a potential project template going forward.
The Glenfarne – Samsung Engineering partnership plans to deliver renewable ammonia projects in Chile and the US, guaranteeing current LNG customers access to ammonia fuel in the early stages of the energy transition. And, seeking to become a model for future renewable utility companies, PASH and ERIH will form a hydrogen & ammonia joint venture to develop production projects in Italy and Turkey.
Mitsui & Co., INPEX and Japanese government agency JOGMEC will partner with ADNOC to verify the emissions intensity of ammonia produced at a new project in al-Ruwais, UAE. The final methodology is likely to reflect the definition of clean ammonia currently being developed in Japan. Shipments of CCU-based ammonia have arrived in Japan & India in recent weeks from SABIC in Saudi Arabia, further highlighting the potential of Middle East supply chains.
The CAMPFIRE consortium is exploring the feasibility of ammonia-powered cruise liners on the Baltic Sea. Project partners Rostock Port, Yara, DNV and Carnival Maritime discussed progress to date at a recent Maritime Ammonia Insights webinar, including promising logistics, infrastructure & safety findings.
The Clean Energy Precinct will develop over 1.6 GW of electrolytic hydrogen production capacity within 5 years, as well as producing renewable ammonia. Works on the project are expected to commence in 2025, with commercial operations expected in 2028.
A recent survey reveals how shipping industry leaders see the maritime fuel transition progressing. With conventional ship engines set to remain the preferred technology until at least 2050, almost all the survey respondents saw their fleets running on a mix of fuels by that date. Although methanol & ammonia are likely to be adopted at scale, respondents do not currently see any of the new fuels emerging as an industry standard, with key choices ahead for shipping companies, fuel producers, bunker providers and industry regulators.
Jilin Electric Power Company has selected LONGi Hydrogen and SANY Hydrogen as electrolyser technology providers for a 180,000 tonnes per year renewable ammonia project in Da’an, northeast China. A growing list of renewable ammonia projects is being developed in the country, with many focused on decarbonised production of chemicals.
In maritime ammonia updates this week:
While the opportunity for Australia to become a world-leading exporter of green molecules is well-established, State of Hydrogen 2022 suggests the best progress to date has been made on a domestic opportunity: decarbonisation of existing ammonia production within Australia. Government support for emerging hydrogen hubs, workforce training and regulatory updates are highlighted as key next steps.