Global pioneers of the green energy transition, Topsoe and First Ammonia, have entered into a capacity reservation agreement that will see the companies elevate zero emission ammonia production to new heights using cutting-edge solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOEC) technology.
Leading technology company Topsoe, and green ammonia specialists First Ammonia, are looking to optimise the zero-emission ammonia production market significantly. To achieve this, Topsoe’s energy-efficient solid oxide electrolyser cells will be installed worldwide at First Ammonia’s green ammonia production plants in the coming years.
Green ammonia’s clean energy potential
Green ammonia has the highest volumetric energy density of all hydrogen-based energy sources – significantly more than pure hydrogen. This makes green ammonia cheap and easy to store and transport.
Existing infrastructure means that green ammonia can rapidly and efficiently replace hydrocarbon-based fuels for a multitude of uses, with ammonia-fuelled ships and ammonia power stations already in the pipeline.
World-leading electrolyser technology
The companies’ agreement provides for an initial purchase of 500MW of SOEC units, which is expandable to 5GW over the agreement’s lifetime. Topsoe’s SOEC manufacturing plant is scheduled to be built in Herning, Denmark, and has recently received FID from the board.
5GW would be the largest ever electrolyser reservation of any type and provide five million metric tons of green ammonia annually, eliminating 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, the equivalent of taking nine million petrol-fuelled cars off the road.
First Ammonia has been busy developing green ammonia production sites around the world, with the first installation of 500MW of capacity to be installed at locations in Northern Germany and the Southwestern United States.
These will be the world’s first green ammonia production facilities, with operations planned for 2025. Operating dynamically will enable First Ammonia to produce ammonia during off-peak power demand hours and make them a net contributor to the economics of renewable power production. This will allow the company to construct additional renewable power wherever they build a production plant.
Joel Moser, CEO of First Ammonia, said: “We have the utmost confidence in Topsoe and its storied scientists and engineers, which is why we have chosen Topsoe as our partner. With their cutting-edge SOEC electrolysers and industry-leading ammonia synthesis, we will develop facilities around the world to produce millions of tons of green ammonia from water and air. Ammonia saved humanity from starvation a century ago as a replacement for depleted sources of fertilisers, in large part due to Topsoe’s excellence. Ammonia can save humanity once again as the workhorse of the hydrogen economy, replacing petrochemicals to decarbonise agriculture, transportation and power storage and generation.”
Roeland Baan, CEO of Topsoe, commented: “We need to accelerate the development and industrialisation of sustainable solutions while also increasing energy independence, which is why we are delighted to partner with First Ammonia on the global development of its green ammonia facilities. With this agreement, we enable the production of millions of tons of green ammonia in support of the decarbonisation agenda.”
Sundus Cordelia Ramli, Chief Commercial Officer for Power to X at Topsoe, concluded: “Topsoe is delighted to be working with the First Ammonia on these large-scale, commercial green ammonia plants. This agreement leverages Topsoe’s 80+ years of world-class ammonia experience and is evidence of the many benefits of SOEC, including lowering project costs as the most efficient electrolyser technology. This agreement is an enormous step forward and towards a more sustainable future, and we look forward to working with our friends at First Ammonia in the years ahead.”
