popular articles

Japan: An energy revolution with ammonia

A revolutionary Japanese technology promises to reduce carbon emissions by burning ammonia with coal. A world first at the JERA power plant.
Ammoniac Japon énergie

Please share:

JERA and IHI are preparing to start an unprecedented pilot project at the Hekinan power plant in Aichi prefecture. Their aim is to burn a mixture of coal and ammonia to generate electricity. This initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions from existing coal-fired power plants. The success of this project could mark a turning point in the use of cleaner fuels in power generation, at a time when interest in ammonia is growing worldwide.

Ammonia as a green solution

Ammonia releases no carbon when burned, making it a promising alternative to coal. JERA plans to replace 20% of the coal used by ammonia in one of its five generators at the Hekinan power plant. This experiment is seen as a step towards the goal of creating CO2-free thermal power plants. The transition to a 50% ammonia blend is envisaged as the next milestone.

Technical and logistical preparations

To carry out this test, JERA and IHI had to make major modifications to the Hekinan power plant. A spherical tank was installed to store the ammonia, and a 3.5 km pipeline was built to transport it from the quay to the storage site and generator. The generator’s 48 burners are equipped with special nozzles for the delivery of gaseous fuel.

Challenges to overcome

Experimenting with ammonia poses a number of challenges. One of these is the management of nitrous oxide emissions, a greenhouse gas produced when ammonia is burned. What’s more, ammonia is currently more expensive than conventional fuels. The cost of gray ammonia, produced from fossil fuels, is estimated at two to three times that of coal. This additional cost represents a significant obstacle to the adoption of this technology.

Despite the criticism, Japan remains determined to promote this technology in Asia. The conviction is that ammonia can help countries heavily dependent on coal to reduce their emissions while supporting their economic growth. This month, IHI and Sumitomo Corp. have announced their intention to deploy this technology in a power plant owned by Taiwan Power Company. International collaboration and interest in this innovation testify to the potential of ammonia in the transition to cleaner economies.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

A satellite analysis led by Ember and Kayrros shows that methane emissions from Australian mines are 40% higher than official reports, revealing significant gaps in the current coal sector monitoring.
Donald Trump issues several executive orders aimed at reducing regulations on the U.S. coal industry, addressing economic expectations from coal-producing states while securing national energy supply.
Donald Trump issues several executive orders aimed at reducing regulations on the U.S. coal industry, addressing economic expectations from coal-producing states while securing national energy supply.
Backed by Chinese funding, Zambia and Zimbabwe are reviving coal projects in contrast to international energy sector trends.
Backed by Chinese funding, Zambia and Zimbabwe are reviving coal projects in contrast to international energy sector trends.
New coal-fired electricity capacity added in 2024 dropped to 44 GW, driven mainly by China and India, according to a report released on Thursday.
New coal-fired electricity capacity added in 2024 dropped to 44 GW, driven mainly by China and India, according to a report released on Thursday.
Finnish energy company Helen has halted operations at the Salmisaari plant, the country’s last coal facility, halving its carbon dioxide emissions in one year.
An independent study suggests that the Hail Creek mine may emit up to eight times more methane than reported in Glencore's official disclosures.
An independent study suggests that the Hail Creek mine may emit up to eight times more methane than reported in Glencore's official disclosures.
Eskom has connected Unit 6 of the Kusile coal-fired power station, adding 800 MW to the national grid amid efforts to stabilise electricity supply in South Africa.
Eskom has connected Unit 6 of the Kusile coal-fired power station, adding 800 MW to the national grid amid efforts to stabilise electricity supply in South Africa.
The Indian government presents a project to create a coal exchange for the domestic market, a measure aimed at improving transparency and regulating the local coal market.
The Indian government presents a project to create a coal exchange for the domestic market, a measure aimed at improving transparency and regulating the local coal market.
The United States has announced its withdrawal from the Just Energy Transition Partnership with South Africa, thereby reducing the country’s international financial commitments in its gradual exit from coal.
Indonesia sets a floor price for coal to strengthen its control over domestic prices and influence international markets. This new strategy will take effect on March 1, 2025.
Indonesia sets a floor price for coal to strengthen its control over domestic prices and influence international markets. This new strategy will take effect on March 1, 2025.
Indonesia continues to strengthen its dependence on coal, jeopardizing its greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments. This paradox is highlighted in a recent report, emphasizing the tension between environmental goals and economic realities.
Indonesia continues to strengthen its dependence on coal, jeopardizing its greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments. This paradox is highlighted in a recent report, emphasizing the tension between environmental goals and economic realities.
Australian mining giant BHP saw its net profit multiply fivefold, reaching $4.4 billion, despite an 8% drop in revenue. Sustained demand and signs of recovery in China strengthen its outlook.
Australian mining giant BHP saw its net profit multiply fivefold, reaching $4.4 billion, despite an 8% drop in revenue. Sustained demand and signs of recovery in China strengthen its outlook.
In 2024, China began building new coal power plants, a decision that threatens its goal of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030, according to a report published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) and Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
By the end of 2024, coal's share in Australia's electricity generation dropped below 50%, a historic first, thanks to the surge in solar energy production.
By the end of 2024, coal's share in Australia's electricity generation dropped below 50%, a historic first, thanks to the surge in solar energy production.
In the midst of prolonged tensions with Russia, Ukraine offers to provide free coal to Transnistria, a pro-Russian region of Moldova, to alleviate an energy crisis worsened by the cutoff of Russian gas supplies.
In the midst of prolonged tensions with Russia, Ukraine offers to provide free coal to Transnistria, a pro-Russian region of Moldova, to alleviate an energy crisis worsened by the cutoff of Russian gas supplies.
The Pokrovsk mine, Ukraine's sole coke producer, closes under Russian military pressure. This decision threatens the steel industry, the economy, and Ukraine's strategic logistics.
The Pokrovsk mine, Ukraine's sole coke producer, closes under Russian military pressure. This decision threatens the steel industry, the economy, and Ukraine's strategic logistics.
As coal reaches a historic peak in 2024, renewable energy reshapes global dynamics. In China, where one-third of the world’s coal is consumed, the energy transition remains a pivotal factor for the sector's future.
China confirms its central role in the Asian coal market with a forecast of 330 million tons of coal imports in 2025, according to an Australian report.
China confirms its central role in the Asian coal market with a forecast of 330 million tons of coal imports in 2025, according to an Australian report.
Australia revises its metallurgical coal export forecast to reach 163 million tons for the 2024-25 fiscal year. However, revenues are expected to decline due to falling global market prices.
Australia revises its metallurgical coal export forecast to reach 163 million tons for the 2024-25 fiscal year. However, revenues are expected to decline due to falling global market prices.
Global coal demand peaked at 8.77 billion tons in 2024. Thanks to the rise of renewable energy, it is expected to stabilize by 2027, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Global coal demand peaked at 8.77 billion tons in 2024. Thanks to the rise of renewable energy, it is expected to stabilize by 2027, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
China's coal imports increased by 19% in November compared to October, reaching nearly 55 million tons. This growth is driven by stable supply from long-term contracts, despite muted spot demand.
President Prabowo Subianto commits to eliminating coal power plants by 2040, marking an unprecedented ambition. This radical shift poses significant technical and financial challenges as the country remains heavily reliant on coal.
President Prabowo Subianto commits to eliminating coal power plants by 2040, marking an unprecedented ambition. This radical shift poses significant technical and financial challenges as the country remains heavily reliant on coal.
Bosnia faces the coal challenge between dependence and environmental pressures
Bosnia faces the coal challenge between dependence and environmental pressures
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is expected to reach its peak coal consumption by 2025, according to a recent report. This represents a key step toward energy transition despite the challenges of a rapidly growing economy.
China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is expected to reach its peak coal consumption by 2025, according to a recent report. This represents a key step toward energy transition despite the challenges of a rapidly growing economy.

Advertising