Global potential of green ammonia based on hybrid PV-wind power plants

Ammonia is one of the most commonly used feedstock chemicals globally. Therefore, decarbonisation of ammonia production is of high relevance towards achieving a carbon neutral energy system. This study investigates the global potential of green ammonia production from semi-flexible ammonia plants utilising a cost-optimised configuration of hybrid PV-wind power plants, as well as conversion and balancing technologies. The global weather data used is on an hourly time scale and 0.45 degrees x 0.45 degrees spatial resolution. The results show that, by 2030, solar PV would be the dominating electricity generation technology in most parts of the world, and the role of batteries would be limited, while no significant role is found for hydrogen-fuelled gas turbines. Green ammonia could be generated at the best sites in the world for a cost range of 440-630, 345-420, 300-330 and 260-290 (sic)/t(NH3) in 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050, respectively, for a weighted average capital cost of 7%. Comparing this to the decade-average fossil-based ammonia cost of 300-350 (sic)/t, green ammonia could become cost-competitive in niche markets by 2030, and substitute fossil-based ammonia globally at current cost levels. A possible cost decline of natural gas and consequently fossil-based ammonia could be fully neutralised by greenhouse gas emissions cost of about 75 (sic)/t(CO2) by 2040. By 2040, green ammonia in China would be lower in cost than ammonia from new coal-based plants, even at the lowest coal prices and no greenhouse gas emissions cost. The difference in green ammonia production at the least-cost sites in the world's nine major regions is less than 50 (sic)/t(NH3) by 2040. Thus, ammonia shipping cost could limit intercontinental trading and favour local or regional production beyond 2040.

Automated summary

This study investigates the global potential of green ammonia production using a combination of hybrid PV-wind power plants and conversion technologies. The results suggest that solar PV technology will dominate electricity generation by 2030, and green ammonia could potentially substitute fossil-based ammonia globally by 2040.