Ammonia: The missing link in the hydrogen story ?

Hydrogen has become a central element of EU plans to reach net-zero emission by mid-century. The hydrogen strategy relies partly on imports of hydrogen produced from places like North Africa, the Arabic Peninsula and Ukraine. How will this work in practice?

Globally, 50% of all hydrogen is today produced by the fertiliser industry who uses it to produce ammonia, the main building block for all other nitrogen fertilisers.

Storing and transporting hydrogen is a challenge as it is the smallest and lightest molecule in nature and it liquefies only at the extremely low temperature of -253 degrees Celsius. Ammonia, though a different molecule, has 50 % more hydrogen than hydrogen itself. It also liquifies at -33 degrees and can be handled easily, similarly to liquified natural gas.

To deliver on the net-zero objective, Europe needs decarbonised fuels in sectors where electrification is not an option – like heavy industry, some areas of transport or heating. Ammonia is today used as a base material for several industrial products, most notably nitrogen fertilisers, but it could also be used directly as fuel for shipping and other industrial applications.

Видео Ammonia: The missing link in the hydrogen story ? канала EURACTIV