Green ammonia production using current and emerging electrolysis technologies

Green ammonia production using current and emerging electrolysis technologies

2024 | Nami, Hossein; Hendriksen, Peter Vang; Frandsen, Henrik Lund
This study investigates the production of green ammonia using current and emerging electrolysis technologies, specifically alkaline electrolysis (AEC) and solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC), in conjunction with the Haber-Bosch process. The research evaluates the cost of green ammonia under different scenarios, considering both current and future projections of electrolyzer costs and electricity prices. It also determines the threshold CO₂ taxes required to achieve cost parity between green and "fossil" ammonia. The study finds that while AEC-based systems are cheaper today, SOEC-based systems are more cost-effective in the future. By 2050, the estimated cost of green ammonia from an SOEC-based plant is 495 €/t, assuming an electricity price of 30 €/MWh. Heat integration between the electrolyzer and Haber-Bosch process can significantly reduce the steam needed for electrolysis, with approximately 57% and 31% of the steam being generated through heat integration for low-pressure and high-pressure electrolyzers, respectively. The study also highlights the importance of reducing the levelized cost of electricity to lower the cost of green ammonia. The research compares the economic viability of different electrolysis technologies and their potential for future development. It also discusses the cost and emissions of fossil-based ammonia and the potential for blue ammonia, which captures and stores a significant portion of CO₂ emissions. The study concludes that green ammonia can become cost-competitive with fossil ammonia under certain conditions, particularly with the implementation of CO₂ taxes. The results indicate that by 2050, SOEC-based green ammonia could be cost-competitive even at higher levelized costs of electricity. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering the environmental impact and technological advancements in the development of green ammonia production.This study investigates the production of green ammonia using current and emerging electrolysis technologies, specifically alkaline electrolysis (AEC) and solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC), in conjunction with the Haber-Bosch process. The research evaluates the cost of green ammonia under different scenarios, considering both current and future projections of electrolyzer costs and electricity prices. It also determines the threshold CO₂ taxes required to achieve cost parity between green and "fossil" ammonia. The study finds that while AEC-based systems are cheaper today, SOEC-based systems are more cost-effective in the future. By 2050, the estimated cost of green ammonia from an SOEC-based plant is 495 €/t, assuming an electricity price of 30 €/MWh. Heat integration between the electrolyzer and Haber-Bosch process can significantly reduce the steam needed for electrolysis, with approximately 57% and 31% of the steam being generated through heat integration for low-pressure and high-pressure electrolyzers, respectively. The study also highlights the importance of reducing the levelized cost of electricity to lower the cost of green ammonia. The research compares the economic viability of different electrolysis technologies and their potential for future development. It also discusses the cost and emissions of fossil-based ammonia and the potential for blue ammonia, which captures and stores a significant portion of CO₂ emissions. The study concludes that green ammonia can become cost-competitive with fossil ammonia under certain conditions, particularly with the implementation of CO₂ taxes. The results indicate that by 2050, SOEC-based green ammonia could be cost-competitive even at higher levelized costs of electricity. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering the environmental impact and technological advancements in the development of green ammonia production.
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Understanding Green ammonia production using current and emerging electrolysis technologies