Set to reach FID in 2027, the WGEH project will seek to utilise local wind & solar resources and policy incentives in Western Australia to deliver up to 20 million tonnes of renewable ammonia annually. Korea Electric Power Corporation has agreed to jointly develop the project.
A fast-growing ecosystem of startups is progressing various technology pathways in Australia and New Zealand. Melbourne-based Jupiter Ionics is developing an electrolytic cell that will directly reduce nitrogen to ammonia under mild temperature and pressure conditions. In New Zealand, Liquium is embarking on a pilot-scale deployment of its miniaturised Haber Bosch technology. The University of Newcastle and Element One are progressing validation and pilot-phase deployments of AMMONIAC - a novel, “chemical-looping” ammonia production system. And in Sydney, PlasmaLeap is developing a plasma-based system, with on-farm trials already planned.
Origin Energy has been awarded AUD70 million in funding from the Australian federal government to progress the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub. The electrolytic hydrogen facility will be located next door to project partner Orica’s existing complex on Kooragang Island in Newcastle, and the bulk of hydrogen produced will be used for ammonia production. Learn more from Orica (and take a tour of their site) at this year's APAC conference.
Mitsui OSK Lines has released an alternative fuel roadmap as part of its new environmental strategy, with a significant role for hydrogen & ammonia fuels starting from later this decade. The roadmap is complemented by a new strategic investment in ammonia fuel production in the US, and new partnerships in Singapore & Australia. Learn more about MOL’s future ammonia plans in our upcoming episode of Maritime Ammonia Insights.
The Australian government’s new Hydrogen Headstart program will invest AUD2 billion across the full value chain, with select projects to receive production credits to bridge the cost gap between conventional and renewable hydrogen. The government has also initiated a review of Australia’s national hydrogen strategy.
Australia’s national research organisation CSIRO is contributing valuable R&D across the hydrogen and ammonia value chains. At Ammonia Energy APAC 2023, we’ll hear updates on some key ammonia energy projects at CSIRO: small-scale production, combustion engines, and fuel cells, as well as an ongoing partnership with Fortescue Future Industries to develop & deploy metal membrane technology for ammonia cracking systems.