itif.org Climate-Tech to Watch: Green Ammonia HANNAH BOYLES | APRIL 2023 Green ammonia has attracted plenty of recent attention. The technology is promising, but cost reductions, demonstrations, infrastructure, and market growth are all still needed if it is to realize its potential. KEY TAKEAWAYS The transition to net-zero CO2 global energy systems will require countries to deploy a range of transformational technologies. Green ammonia is envisioned to play a role in transitioning heavy industry and agriculture systems as well as being a low-carbon energy carrier. Current ammonia production is responsible for 1.8 percent of global CO2 emissions. Producing the hydrogen needed to make ammonia from water electrolysis and renewable energy (e.g., green ammonia) is a route to significantly reduce carbon emissions. The global green ammonia industry is still in its early stages, with only a few pilot projects in operation, but it has attracted the attention of industry players and governments around the world. Bringing the costs down, improving efficiency, increasing production scale, and expanding pipeline infrastructure will be crucial for new applications and the increased demand envisioned. DOE should enable the use of green hydrogen in existing ammonia production by supporting demonstration-scale projects coupled with RD&D efforts in catalysis, reactor design, and separations to further reduce costs. Public funding for demonstrations of new end uses will help create a market for green ammonia. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION FOUNDATION | APRIL 2023 PAGE 2 WHAT IS IT? Ammonia, a colorless gas widely used to produce fertilizer, has become the subject of intense interest due to its promise as...
