Green Ammonia

Green ammonia, a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional ammonia production, has emerged as a key player in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. This article explores the production process, applications, benefits, and challenges associated with green ammonia.

India is gearing up to establish about 5.8 million tonnes of green ammonia manufacturing capacity across various regions. This highlights the commitment to decarbonizing the economy.

India is well on its way to becoming one of the major global manufacturers of green hydrogen and green ammonia.

Green ammonia

Ammonia (NH3), primarily used in fertilizers and various industrial processes, has traditionally been produced through energy-intensive methods with substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

Green ammonia, produced using renewable energy sources, holds the promise of reducing carbon footprints and addressing climate change concerns.

Conventional Ammonia Production

Before delving into green ammonia, it’s essential to understand the conventional Haber-Bosch process, which has been the cornerstone of ammonia production for over a century.

• This process involves combining nitrogen (N2) from the air with hydrogen (H2) derived from natural gas, typically methane (CH4), under high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst.
• While effective, this method is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, making it a major contributor to climate change.

Green Ammonia Production Process

Green ammonia, in contrast, is produced using renewable energy sources, and its production process aims to mitigate the environmental impact associated with traditional methods.

The key steps in green ammonia production include:

1. Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production:
   • Green NH3 begins with the generation of hydrogen using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower.
   • Electrolysis involves splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using an electric current. The hydrogen produced through this process is emission-free, as it avoids the use of fossil fuels.
2. Nitrogen Capture:
   • The second key component, nitrogen, is captured from the air using air separation technologies, often through pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or membrane separation.
3. Haber-Bosch Synthesis:
   • The hydrogen and nitrogen are then combined through the traditional Haber-Bosch synthesis, resulting in the production of green NH3.
   • Since the hydrogen used is derived from renewable sources, the overall process is considered environmentally sustainable.

Applications

Green ammonia maintains the versatility of conventional ammonia and finds applications across various industries, including:

• Fertilizer Production: The primary use of ammonia is in the production of fertilizers. Green ammonia offers a sustainable alternative to conventional ammonia-based fertilizers, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
• Energy Storage: Ammonia can be used as an energy carrier and storage solution. It has the potential to store and transport renewable energy generated from intermittent sources like wind and solar.
• Hydrogen Carrier: Ammonia is considered a promising carrier for hydrogen, as it has a higher volumetric energy density than pure hydrogen and can be transported and stored more efficiently.
• Fuel Production: It can be used as a clean fuel in combustion engines or fuel cells, providing an alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Benefits

The adoption of green ammonia brings forth several environmental, economic, and social benefits:

• Reduced Carbon Footprint: Green ammonia production significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional methods, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
• Renewable Energy Integration: The use of renewable energy sources for hydrogen production aligns with the transition to a more sustainable and decarbonized energy system.
• Agricultural Sustainability: Green ammonia-based fertilizers promote sustainable agriculture by minimizing the environmental impact of conventional fertilizers.
• Energy Security: Ammonia’s potential as a carrier of renewable energy contributes to enhanced energy security by providing a means to store and transport green energy.
• Technological Innovation: The development and implementation of green ammonia technologies drive innovation and create opportunities for new business models and industries.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its potential, the widespread adoption of green ammonia faces challenges that need to be addressed for its successful integration into various sectors:

• Cost Competitiveness: Currently, green NH3 production is often more expensive than conventional methods. Continued technological advancements and economies of scale are necessary to improve cost competitiveness.
• Infrastructure Development: Infrastructure for the production, storage, and transportation of green ammonia needs further development to support its integration into existing energy and industrial systems.
• Regulatory Framework: Clear and supportive regulatory frameworks are crucial to encourage investments in green ammonia projects and facilitate the transition to sustainable ammonia production.
• Public Awareness: Public awareness and acceptance are essential, as the success of green ammonia depends on societal support and understanding of its benefits.

Green ammonia in India

With 8% of the world’s current output, India is one of the biggest ammonia manufacturers worldwide.

• The majority of what is produced domestically is directly transformed into urea, which is then utilized as fertilizer.
• However, sizable imports of urea and ammonia are also necessary to satisfy demand.
• The World Bank estimates that 2.4 million tonnes of ammonia were imported in 2021, placing India as the world’s second-largest importer of ammonia.
• The Middle East is the primary source of imports. This presents a huge potential for using India’s renewable energy resources.

The decarbonization of domestic urea manufacturing can be challenging since both ammonia and carbon dioxide are needed as feedstocks. Nonetheless, domestically generated renewable ammonia or imported renewable ammonia can currently replace imported fossil ammonia.

Hydrogen and Ammonia are envisaged to be the future fuels to replace fossil fuels.

• Production of these fuels by using power from renewable energy, termed green hydrogen and green ammonia, is one of the nation’s major requirements for environmentally sustainable energy security.
• The government of India is taking various measures to facilitate the transition from fossil fuel/fossil fuel-based feedstocks to green hydrogen / green ammonia.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has laid down the incentive implementation framework for the production and supply of green ammonia at the lowest cost through a competitive selection process under Mode 2A of the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program.

• Under the framework, direct incentives for green ammonia production and supply will be granted over three years from the commencement date.
• The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will act as the implementing agency, providing support and carrying out various tasks assigned by MNRE.
• Its responsibilities include receiving and assessing applications, issuing acknowledgments and awards, examining incentive claims from beneficiaries, and verifying claims with prescribed documents.
• SECI will also compile data on the program’s progress and performance and submit quarterly reports to MNRE.
• As an administrative charge, SECI is eligible to receive 0.5% of the disbursed incentive amount annually.

Compared to solar and wind energy, the flexibility of the ammonia plant is a key aspect of a low renewable ammonia cost.

Conclusion

Green ammonia represents a significant stride towards sustainability in ammonia production, with the potential to revolutionize various industries.

As the world seeks cleaner and more environmentally friendly alternatives, the development and adoption of green ammonia technologies become paramount.

Continued research, investment, and collaborative efforts are essential to overcome challenges and unlock the full potential of green ammonia, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Related articles: Green Energy partnerships of India

-Article by Swathi Satish