Japanese firm explore ammonia production and export in New Zealand
Japanese engineering firm IHI Corporation (IHI) has been contracted by Australian oil firm Woodside Energy Technologies to assess the feasibility of producing and exporting ammonia at Greenpoint and Tiwai Point in New Zealand.
PHOTO: An aerial view of Tiwai Point. Getty Images
The proposed project intends to utilise the region’s “abundant hydropower” to produce ammonia using electrolysis. Greenpoint and Tiwai Point are located in New Zealand’s southernmost region of Southland, the region has extensive river and lake systems making hydropower an obvious power source.
Oceania is “a suitable area for manufacturing and exporting ammonia produced from renewable energy sources,” and the ammonia produced “could result in lower carbon dioxide emissions in the supply chain,” IHI says.
The proposed project expects to produce 500,000 mt/yr of ammonia from renewable power. They say the ammonia produced will be supplied to "diverse customers", but have not specified if any part of it will be used for shipping.
IHI and Woodside Energy will also evaluate the potential of an ammonia supply chain between Japan and Oceania.
PHOTO: Green ammonia supply chain. IHI
IHI is of the opinion that Japan’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 has pushed the country’s public and private sectors to “develop ammonia and other low-carbon energy carrier chains.”
The recent series of ammonia-related projects announced by Japanese companies reflects the sentiment. Earlier this month, Japanese energy producer Inpex began construction of a hydrogen and ammonia production plant for its project in the Niigata Prefecture of Japan. Also in the same month, Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) partnered with the Port of Newcastle on a project that aims to produce green hydrogen and ammonia.
“Existing technologies relating to its (ammonia) production, storage, and transportation position ammonia well for its swift integration into the energy mix,” IHI adds.
By Tuhin Roy
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