Optimization of green ammonia distribution systems for intercontinental energy transport

Abstract

Summary Green ammonia is a promising hydrogen derivative which enables intercontinental transport of dispatchable renewable energy. This research describes the development of a model which optimizes a global green ammonia network, considering the costs of production, storage, and transport. In generating the model, we show economies of scale for green ammonia production are small beyond 1 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA), although benefits accrue up to a production rate of 10 MMTPA if a production facility is serviced by a new port or requires a long pipeline. The model demonstrates that optimal sites for ammonia production require not only an excellent renewable resource but also ample land from which energy can be harvested. Land limitations constrain project size in otherwise optimal locations and force production to more expensive sites. Comparison of current crude oil markets to future ammonia markets reveals a trend away from global supply hubs and toward demand centers serviced by regional production.

Impact of process flexibility and imperfect forecasting on the operation and design of Haber–Bosch green ammonia

“…This article adopts two methods for assessing the role of flexibility in green ammonia plants: Linear Programming (LP) for plant design, and Model Predictive Control (MPC) for plant operation. The former approach has been adopted in other analyses of green ammonia production, 11–15 although a modification is proposed here to determine the extent to which cycling of storage units impacts on the ammonia price, and new sensitivity results are presented. The latter MPC approach is novel in its application to islanded green ammonia plants, and places guard rails around the results offered by the LP.…”

Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Ammonia-Based Electricity

“…A variety of research shows promising technical and economic feasibility of producing hydrogen/ammonia from renewable sources and exporting to other locations in Europe or Asia [37][38][39]. In this regard, Australia [40,41], Morocco [42,43], and Chile [44,45] are in the lead with the development of green ammonia production facilities.…”

Energy Decarbonization via Green H2 or NH3?

“…Practically, it will often be compressed to higher pressures of 18 bar in Type-C tanks to accommodate temperature variation . In some cases, ammonia will also be transported in unpressurized containers at a lower temperature of −33.4 °C. , Additionally, the high autoignition temperature and low flammability of ammonia (650 °C, 14.8–33.5% in air) when compared to hydrogen (520 °C, 4–74% in air) offer an extra layer of safety . As a result, ammonia transportation has simpler requirements than that of hydrogen.…”