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Ammonia: From Fertilizer to Fuel of the Future

Sep 6, 2023

Ammonia, a widely used chemical, has a heavy carbon footprint. Green ammonia and its potential as clean shipping fuel are discussed. Ammonia as a means of transporting green hydrogen is explored. Decarbonizing ammonia use in agriculture and the impact of carbon border adjustment mechanism are mentioned.

34:02

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Quick takeaways

The shipping industry is exploring ammonia as a potential fuel source to address emissions from hard-to-abate sectors, due to its ease of transport and higher hydrogen content per unit volume compared to liquid hydrogen.

Decarbonizing ammonia use in agriculture requires shifting to sustainable carbon sources and alternative nitrogen fertilizers, along with policy interventions such as subsidies for hydrogen production and carbon pricing incentives.

Deep dives

Ammonia as a Fuel Source for Shipping and its Benefits

Ammonia has the potential to be a fuel source for shipping, addressing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors. Compared to hydrogen, ammonia is easier to transport as it liquefies at a relatively low temperature. Ammonia can contain more hydrogen per unit volume than liquid hydrogen itself. The shipping industry is actively exploring ammonia as a potential fuel, with future vessels being designed to run on ammonia or a dual fuel source.

Introduction

3min

Ammonia as a Fuel: Transportability and Efficiency

19min

Decarbonizing Shipping with Ammonia and Methanol as Fuels

3min

Retrofitting Ships with Ammonia Capable Engines and the Challenges of Using Ammonia as a Fuel

4min

Decarbonizing Ammonia Use in Agriculture

7min

Discussing the Impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on Ammonia and Other Hydrogen Products

3min

Ammonia is one of the world’s most widely used chemicals, found in everything from fertilizers to explosives. But this tiny, crucial molecule has a heavy carbon footprint, with ammonia production and end use applications accounting for 2-3% of emissions worldwide. Now, green ammonia could be within reach, as hydrogen, its key component, moves toward an emissions-free production process of its own. To find out more, Dana speaks with Adithya Bhashyam, an Associate from BNEF’s Hydrogen team. Together they explore the relationship between ammonia and hydrogen, ammonia’s potential as a clean shipping fuel, and the prospect of using ammonia as a more efficient means of transporting green hydrogen itself.

Complimentary BNEF research on the trends driving the transition to a lower-carbon economy can be found at BNEF<GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal, on bnef.com or on the BNEF mobile app.

Links to research notes from this episode:

Ammonia Market Primer: The Struggle to Go Green

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