Ammonia can become the CO2-free fuel of the future
Ammonia has the potential of playing a central role in a more sustainable future. It can be used as a CO2 free fuel instead of gasoline, diesel and fuel oil. Moreover, the highly energy-consuming production of ammonia for fertilizer and other purposes can be based on green power instead of natural gas. That will save large amounts of CO2 – and at the same time efficiently “store” excess power from wind turbines and solar cells.
A new research project, SOC4NH3 (Solid Oxide
“We expect that ammonia can be used for transportation and efficient storage of energy. The greatest advantage of ammonia is that it has a high energy density which makes it an effective fuel and energy storage option – and it can thereby solve some of the most important challenges of creating a sustainable energy system of the future,” says project leader, Senior Principal Scientist John Bøgild Hansen, Haldor Topsoe A/S.
“In the Foulum research facility, we will demonstrate an especially efficient technology which will enable us to produce ammonia solely by using certified windmill power, water, and air. The method is much more climate friendly than conventional ammonia production which today makes up as much as one percent of the world’s total energy consumption and CO2 emissions,” says Lars D.M. Ottosen, Head of Biological and Chemical Engineering, University of Aarhus.
When ammonia is produced with power from sustainable sources, it is more or less CO2 neutral. And the ammonia has a lot more applications besides storage of green power. Ammonia today is indispensable in artificial fertilizer, which is a necessary prerequisite for feeding the world’s population. Moreover, ammonia can be used as
The fluctuating production of green power from wind turbines and solar cells leads to variations in price and availability of green power. That is why it is necessary to develop efficient solutions to store power to reach the target of 100 percent renewable energy. The project will examine how excess power can be stored in the form of ammonia.
When there is a need for power, the electricity originally used to produce the ammonia can be regenerated. This takes place by using the ammonia as
”We see an interesting potential in using ammonia for creating a more stable green energy production and one that can be stored, and at the same time start electrifying heavy transport and the chemical industry. With more than 100 GW wind energy installed all over the world, Vestas has demonstrated that wind energy can deliver the large amounts of energy necessary to convert other sectors to a sustainable future,” says Bo Svoldgaard, Senior Vice President, Innovation & Concepts, Vestas.
Hopefully, the project can contribute to the next big step in the green transition and thereby strengthen the international leading position of Danish industry within sustainable technology and green solutions. This will create the foundation for future growth, export
Haldor Topsøe, who is world-leading within electrolysis and production of ammonia, is heading the project and cooperates with the University of Aarhus, Technical University of Denmark, Energinet, Vestas,
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