Two big players, Johnson Matthey and thyssenkrupp Uhde, will combine their CCS-based hydrogen and ammonia synthesis technologies to offer a new “blue” ammonia solution, enabling production with up to 99% CO2 capture.
From near-zero volumes today, JERA has set its sights on being a “pioneer player” in the emerging global value chain for ammonia, handling 7 million tons every year by 2035. JERA is also aiming for 100% substitution of ammonia fuel in ultra-supercritical power stations in the 2040s, and to maintain currently low levels of NOX and SOX emissions from its power generating fleet.
2024 has already been a busy year, with ammonia discussions at an exciting phase. Despite the hesitancy and doubts about ammonia I have heard at recent events, I continue to deliver the same constructive messages, and urge the AEA membership and networks to use the information available to continue to promote ammonia. Our upcoming annual event in New Orleans will explore progress in establishing ammonia markets, and I can’t wait to see you all again in-person.
Kenya aims to substitute 50% of current, ammonia-based fertilizer imports with locally-produced alternatives, based on the production of electrolytic hydrogen. New guidelines from Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority set carbon intensity thresholds for “green” hydrogen and ammonia, as well as the incentives on offer for project developers. The new launch follows commitments to promote local fertilizer production made by heads of state at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit. We also explore two existing renewable projects in Kenya from Maire Tecnimont and Talus Renewables.
Hitachi Zozen and NYK will work towards a catalyst-based N2O removal system for ammonia-powered, 2-stroke marine engines.
The IMO’s Maritime Environmental Protection Committee has made significant strides towards implementing its net-zero agenda. The IMO is seeking to implement a fuel standard supported by a pricing mechanism. While many details remain unresolved, important steps forward have been made on emissions boundaries, flexibility elements and default value calculation. The goal of launching policy measures by the end of 2025 remains ambitious, but the IMO has sent a clear signal that it is committed to its net-zero roadmap.
OCI Global will deliver ammonia produced at its Texas plant to COMPO EXPERT in Germany, replacing 25% of its feedstock with low-carbon ammonia from this year. Meanwhile, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) will offtake 200,000 tons of renewable ammonia per year from ACME’s under-development plant in Gopalpur, Odisha. This second deal will be facilitated by the use of “Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes” (or ITMOs), a credit mechanism established by the Paris Agreement.
The Indian government has launched a new incentive scheme for renewable ammonia, aiming to support the production of 550,000 tonnes per year from 2027. The news comes as the first winners of subsidies for renewable hydrogen production & domestic electrolyser manufacturing were announced. In December, the government also amended an existing scheme to provide financial assistance for new-build vessels powered by green fuels, including ammonia.
MAN Energy Solutions has announced that the first SCR catalytic converter for a marine ammonia engine has passed factory tests and been delivered to Japan. Produced in China by stainless steel specialists BUTTING, the unit is designed to significantly reduce NOx emissions from ammonia combustion engines.
For producers to qualify for 45V tax credits, the US Treasury has proposed a set of new rules for renewable hydrogen that closely align with EU standards. The three pillars approach already adopted by the EU is proposed, as is the use of Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model for lifecycle emissions analysis.