Solid oxide electrolysis has recently gained traction, and is fast becoming an attractive technology option for new ammonia production projects. This week we will explore a recent ISPT report, the scale-up of Topsoe’s manufacturing capacity, and several project announcements.
Norway-based North Ammonia will supply at least 100,000 tonnes per year of ammonia fuel to Höegh Autoliners from 2030, powering their future fleet of Aurora class car carriers. Grid-based electrolysis will feed production of ammonia in Eydehavn on Norway’s south coast, with bunkering to take place somewhere in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam Antwerp area. In more maritime ammonia news out of Norway this week, Skarv Shipping will receive government funding to develop cargo vessels featuring ammonia-powered, four-stroke engines.
State-owned enterprise China Energy has announced new ammonia initiatives in three countries, with a reported budget of $20 billion to invest outside China over the next few years. A partnership with Petrobras in Brazil, construction of a new renewable ammonia mega-project in Morocco, and a construction start date for a renewable ammonia plant next to the Suez Canal in Egypt have all been announced in the last few weeks.
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 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.
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.
The Verdigris Complex renewable ammonia project aims to leverage NextEra’s renewable energy expertise and CF Industries’ experience as a leading ammonia producer to produce zero-carbon fertiliser for US agriculture, boosted by favourable policies included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Flexible ammonia production technology is currently scaling up to meet the challenges of fluctuating electricity feedstock. The ability to ramp down plants to 5 - 10% of their nominal load will minimize the requirement for hydrogen storage buffers and reduce the overall cost of renewable ammonia production. The first demonstration-sized flexible ammonia plants are due to begin operations later this year.
Amp Energy will develop 5 GW of electrolyser capacity in Cape Hardy, South Australia. At full scale the project will produce 5 million tonnes of renewable ammonia per year for export. The precinct has ready access to renewable power, deepwater port infrastructure and undeveloped land.
Learn more about the Villeta Project, currently being developed by ATOME Energy, Casale and URBAS Energy-Ingeser. Surplus hydropower form the Itaipu Dam will be used for renewable ammonia production via electrolysis-based hydrogen.