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New photocatalyst for ammonia decomposition unveiled
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Rice University & Syzygy Plasmonics have demonstrated a new copper-iron photocatalyst for ammonia decomposition. The potential to replace expensive, rare materials like ruthenium would be a significant step, and Syzygy aims to couple the new photocatalyst and light-driven, all-electric reactor technology developed at Rice to decarbonise chemical & fuel production. It’s been a big month for Syzygy, which also closed a successful, $76 million Series C funding round, with Aramco, Chevron, LOTTE and Toyota all participating.

Renewable ammonia & fertilizers in Sub-Saharan Africa
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In our December episode of Ammonia Project Features, our three guests focused on renewable ammonia production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Allan Manhanga (Sable Chemicals) took us through the story of renewable ammonia production in Zimbabwe from 1972 to 2015, and what is needed to restart the industry there. Ralph Koekkoek (MET Development) presented a new renewable ammonia & fertilizer project underway in Kenya, with a focus on local farmers and national food security. And Marcel Jacobs (African Hydrogen Partnership) emphasized the important role of organisations in raising awareness & de-risking future projects, particularly through approaches like the proposed East African Green Hydrogen and Fertilizer Corridor.

Pertamina explores new hydrogen & ammonia projects in Indonesia
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At the G20 summit in Indonesia, Pertamina has signed two separate agreements: one with Chevron & Keppel Infrastructure to develop a geothermal ammonia production plant, and one with Aramco to explore potential CCUS ammonia production projects. Also at the G20 summit, Fortescue Future Industries & Indonesian steel maker PT Gunung Raja Paksi Tbk agreed to explore the decarbonisation of steel making in Indonesia using hydrogen & ammonia fuel.

COP27: EU forms new partnerships
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The European Commission has signed strategic partnerships with three countries at COP27: Namibia, Kazakhstan and Egypt. Key cooperation areas include boosting the rollout of renewable energy generation for hydrogen production, and European investment to finance renewable hydrogen production. Also in Sharm el-Sheikh, German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz announced the first tender process for H2Global will shortly commence, with a further €4 billion to be invested into the pay-for-difference initiative.

COP27: raised ambitions for Africa
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Fortescue Future Industries and the Kenyan government will develop a 300 MW, geothermal-powered ammonia & fertiliser production plant. The project is part of a larger pipeline (25 GW) of renewable energy generation being explored by FFI and Kenya. In Mauritania, bp will explore the potential for large-scale renewable hydrogen production, and a new report from Masdar has laid out the opportunities on offer for Africa: as much as 10% of the global renewable hydrogen market by 2050, or 60 million tonnes per year.

COP27: Egyptian production projects
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This week we explore three ammonia production announcements from Egypt at COP27. The “Egypt Green” integrated hydrogen plant has been commissioned in Ain Sokhna, and will shortly begin supplying renewable hydrogen to two nearby ammonia plants. AMEA Power has agreed to develop an 800,000 tonnes per year ammonia production project (also in Ain Sokhna), and Fortescue Future Industries will explore the feasibility of multiple renewable projects across the country.

COP27: the Green Shipping Challenge
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The US and Norway launched the Green Shipping Challenge in Sharm el-Sheikh this month. The Challenge encompasses more than forty different announcements & initiatives, including ammonia fuel production in Namibia, ammonia-powered cargo shipping in Finland, ammonia-powered pilot vessels in Norway's Green Shipping Programme, and a host of new green corridor projects. A trio of new reports have also provided an assessment of progress to date in green corridor development, and suggested key next steps.

Gigawatt-scale renewable ammonia in Northwest Africa
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In our November episode of Ammonia Project Features we explored two gigawatt-sized ammonia production projects in Northwest Africa: AMUN (Morocco) and AMAN (Mauritania). Nouri Chahid (CWP Global) presented project details, while Lloyd Pinnell (Systemiq) explored the socio-economic impacts of AMAN in Mauritania. If developed in the right way, AMAN could provide potable water, access to cheap renewable electricity, significant local employment & education opportunities, as well as the opportunity to build institutions to best manage new economic windfalls.

Canada to launch new tax credit for hydrogen production
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The Canadian government has proposed a significant tax credit for hydrogen production in the country - at least 40% if all conditions are met. Citing the Infrastructure Reduction Act in the US, the Department of Finance sees adoption of “competitive” measures as critical to make sure Canada is not “left behind”. The government will shortly launch industry consultation on how best to implement the tax credit, based on lifecycle carbon intensity of hydrogen.

Siemens Energy begins work on commercial cracker prototype
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Siemens Energy, Fortescue Future Industries and GeoPura are developing a £3.5 million ammonia cracker prototype in Newcastle, UK. The prototype will deliver 200 kg of high-purity, PEM-suitable hydrogen fuel per day, and will be based on Fortescue’s “Metal Membrane Technology” (MMT) purification process. GeoPura will act as offtaker for the prototype facility, with the hydrogen to be used as in its Hydrogen Power Unit fuel cell technology.