Green Ammonia Building The Middle East's Agricultural Future

Without quick, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the research said, keeping global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius or even 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the next two decades would "be beyond reach." Considering this alarming reality, some companies are working to lessen the environmental impact of ammonia manufacturing, which is responsible for roughly 1.8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, as stated in a policy briefing from The Royal Society. In Norway, for instance, the energy giant Statkraft, the hydrogen specialist Aker Clean Hydrogen, and the fertiliser expert Yara have formed a company dedicated to the manufacture of environmentally friendly ammonia. The HEGRA corporation is owned equally by the three companies. The Norwegian government-owned utility Statkraft has announced that HEGRA's primary objective will be to electrify and decarbonize an ammonia plant in Herya. The project's overarching goal is to produce industrial quantities of ammonia from renewable energy sources. Ammonia would be converted into a fertiliser that doesn't require the addition of carbon. Green ammonia is "a promising zero-emission fuel for the maritime sector," according to Statkraft.

In MENA countries with a lot of potential for hydropower, green ammonia made from renewable resources might have a huge impact on the economy. In addition to providing fertilisers to feed the people and modernise agriculture, green ammonia's use will generate a steady supply of power, mitigating the seasonal variations of renewable energy. It is projected that 80% of the current global population can be fed by employing green ammonia-based fertilisers produced by the energy- and capital-intensive Haber-Bosch process with methane or coal as fuel. Technologies for the decentralised generation of green ammonia using only renewable energy are now under development, creating new possibilities for countries with access to solar, wind, and hydro power. It shows the social and economic advantages of domestic fertiliser production with renewable energy sources as opposed to fertiliser and agricultural product imports. Green ammonia can also be used to smooth out the peaks and valleys of renewable energy production, ensuring a steady supply of power that can be used for building.

According to Michael Reese, the project director at the University of Minnesota, "for deep decarbonization of agriculture, you move to green ammonia." According to research conducted at this university, the carbon footprint of farming might be reduced by as much as 90 percent if green ammonia ('green' in the sense that it is created with renewable energy) were used as a fertiliser, fuel, and heat source. "That's revolutionary," Reese chimes in.

Proponents of this zero-carbon liquid fuel in the Middle East envision green ammonia's use far beyond agriculture. An massive new market for green ammonia as a fuel is expected, eventually exceeding the world's already enormous (and growing) need for ammonia as fertiliser. An International Energy Agency research from 2021 suggests that hydrogen-based fuels (including ammonia) need account for roughly 30 percent of transport fuels by 2050, up from essentially nothing now in order to reach zero emissions by 2050. According to the paper, in the future, cars will operate on batteries and planes will use biofuels, but ammonia will remain indispensable for the shipping industry, which is responsible for 3 percent of world emissions and is working hard to reduce that number as quickly as possible.

UAE Produced Green Ammonia Exciting For Multinationals, Particularly From Japan

On November 9th, IHI and Enoc inked an agreement to investigate the potential for green ammonia production at Enoc's existing oil terminals in Dubai and the surrounding Emirates, which are controlled by Enoc's subsidiary Horizon Terminals. After completing a feasibility assessment by the end of February 2023, the companies hope to begin running the pilot plant in 2025.

Since the terminal already contains LPG storage tanks, they can be used to ship ammonia to Japan and the rest of Asia, as well as to supply local consumers. To lower carbon dioxide emissions, green ammonia could be used to produce electricity, as a marine fuel, and as a component of fertilisers.

The decision is linked with the UAE’s overall aspirations to diversify its energy sources and transform into a clean energy model for the world to imitate.

The manufactured fuel will be sold to Japan and provided within the UAE and across the region for bunkering and other reasons.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will conduct studies in corresponding order for UAE’s green ammonia production. These will include pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for the world's first full-scale production plant, pre-FEED (Front End Engineering Design) and FEED studies for a demonstration plant, and pre-FEED and FEED for the full-scale production plant.

CEO of the Enoc Group Saif Humaid Al Falasi and Executive Officer, General Manager of Solution & Business Development at IHI Corporation Jun Kobayashi signed the agreement.

"Enoc is committed to pursuing alliances that will ensure the future of future generations. As part of our efforts to promote Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and aid the UAE’s energy transition initiatives, we have partnered with IHI Corporation," Al Falasi noted.

"We are pleased to cooperate with IHI Corporation to explore the potential of green ammonia production in the UAE," he added.

This relationship coincides with Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 to meet the country’s economic objectives and environmental aspirations.

Further, it supports the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Kobayashi said: "We believe green ammonia is one of the most feasible, inexpensive carbon-free fuel alternatives with high volumetric hydrogen density and easy handling."

Green ammonia, which can be generated by mixing and reacting green hydrogen and nitrogen at high temperatures and pressures, can potentially cut global carbon emissions and be employed within the transportation, power generation and fertiliser sectors

"The UAE is well positioned to generate and export green ammonia with its plentiful renewable energy and excellent marine trade infrastructure, which cements its standing as a major hub for global shipping. The efforts of both Japan and the UAE to reduce their carbon footprint will benefit from this partnership,” he said.