IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v312y2024ics0360544224033358.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Comparative life cycle assessment of carbon-free ammonia as fuel for power generation based on the perspective of supply chains

Author

Listed:
  • Lee, Ha Eun
  • Ling, Jester Lih Jie
  • Pae, Kook Pyo
  • Solanki, Bhanupratap S.
  • Park, Han Saem
  • Ahn, Hyung Jun
  • Seo, Hae Won
  • Lee, See Hoon

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a surge in ammonia demand due to growing interest in carbon-free fuel for decarbonization. Thus, it is crucial to identify the methods to fulfill the required demand, particularly for countries with resource scarcity or lacking well-established production infrastructure. The present study compares environmental impact analysis between domestic ammonia production and import ammonia for these countries by using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. In these ammonia supply paths, five different production ways were applied: gray (conventional Haber-Bosch process), blue (with carbon capture and storage), green (wind, solar, and nuclear powered water electrolysis with Haber-Bosch process). The assessment showed highest global warming potential (GWP) value at 2.64 ton CO2-eq/ton NH3 for imported gray while domestic nuclear-driven ammonia had the lowest value at 0.81 ton CO2-eq/ton NH3. In addition, contrary to expectations, the human and environment impact of green ammonias were all higher than gray and blue ammonia due to the production of raw materials. This means that environmental improvements of related production process are crucial in preparation for the coming new energy regime, which then lead to the production of environmentally friendly ammonia. Lastly, these results offer valuable guideline for future energy strategy planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee, Ha Eun & Ling, Jester Lih Jie & Pae, Kook Pyo & Solanki, Bhanupratap S. & Park, Han Saem & Ahn, Hyung Jun & Seo, Hae Won & Lee, See Hoon, 2024. "Comparative life cycle assessment of carbon-free ammonia as fuel for power generation based on the perspective of supply chains," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:312:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224033358
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.133557
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544224033358
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2024.133557?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Boyano, A. & Blanco-Marigorta, A.M. & Morosuk, T. & Tsatsaronis, G., 2011. "Exergoenvironmental analysis of a steam methane reforming process for hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 2202-2214.
    2. Kirova-Yordanova, Zornitza, 2004. "Exergy analysis of industrial ammonia synthesis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 29(12), pages 2373-2384.
    3. Orhan, Mehmet F. & Babu, Binish S., 2015. "Investigation of an integrated hydrogen production system based on nuclear and renewable energy sources: Comparative evaluation of hydrogen production options with a regenerative fuel cell system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 801-820.
    4. James H. Stock & Matthew Zaragoza-Watkins, 2024. "The Market and Climate Implications of U.S. LNG Exports," NBER Working Papers 32228, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Weinzettel, Jan & Reenaas, Marte & Solli, Christian & Hertwich, Edgar G., 2009. "Life cycle assessment of a floating offshore wind turbine," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 742-747.
    6. Ling, Jester Lih Jie & Yang, Won & Park, Han Saem & Lee, Ha Eun & Lee, See Hoon, 2023. "A comparative review on advanced biomass oxygen fuel combustion technologies for carbon capture and storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    7. Oh, Se-Young & Binns, Michael & Cho, Habin & Kim, Jin-Kuk, 2016. "Energy minimization of MEA-based CO2 capture process," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 353-362.
    8. Chisalita, Dora-Andreea & Petrescu, Letitia & Cormos, Calin-Cristian, 2020. "Environmental evaluation of european ammonia production considering various hydrogen supply chains," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    9. Fahad Saleh Al-Ismail & Md Shafiul Alam & Md Shafiullah & Md Ismail Hossain & Syed Masiur Rahman, 2023. "Impacts of Renewable Energy Generation on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.
    10. Andrea J. Boero & Kevin Kardux & Marina Kovaleva & Daniel A. Salas & Jacco Mooijer & Syed Mashruk & Michael Townsend & Kevin Rouwenhorst & Agustin Valera-Medina & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Ammonia-Based Electricity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-20, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cheng, Chin-hung & Li, Kangkang & Yu, Hai & Jiang, Kaiqi & Chen, Jian & Feron, Paul, 2018. "Amine-based post-combustion CO2 capture mediated by metal ions: Advancement of CO2 desorption using copper ions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 1030-1038.
    2. Rashedi, A. & Sridhar, I. & Tseng, K.J., 2013. "Life cycle assessment of 50MW wind firms and strategies for impact reduction," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 89-101.
    3. Zhang, Xiaowen & Zhang, Rui & Liu, Helei & Gao, Hongxia & Liang, Zhiwu, 2018. "Evaluating CO2 desorption performance in CO2-loaded aqueous tri-solvent blend amines with and without solid acid catalysts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 417-429.
    4. Alivand, Masood S. & Mazaheri, Omid & Wu, Yue & Stevens, Geoffrey W. & Scholes, Colin A. & Mumford, Kathryn A., 2019. "Development of aqueous-based phase change amino acid solvents for energy-efficient CO2 capture: The role of antisolvent," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    5. Seck, Gondia Sokhna & Hache, Emmanuel & D'Herbemont, Vincent & Guyot, Mathis & Malbec, Louis-Marie, 2023. "Hydrogen development in Europe: Estimating material consumption in net zero emissions scenarios," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    6. Niklas Andersen & Ola Eriksson & Karl Hillman & Marita Wallhagen, 2016. "Wind Turbines’ End-of-Life: Quantification and Characterisation of Future Waste Materials on a National Level," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-24, November.
    7. Hong, Sanghyun & Bradshaw, Corey J.A. & Brook, Barry W., 2014. "Nuclear power can reduce emissions and maintain a strong economy: Rating Australia’s optimal future electricity-generation mix by technologies and policies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 712-725.
    8. Benim, Ali Cemal & Pfeiffelmann, Björn & Ocłoń, Paweł & Taler, Jan, 2019. "Computational investigation of a lifted hydrogen flame with LES and FGM," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 1172-1181.
    9. Akito Ozawa & Yuki Kudoh, 2021. "Assessing Uncertainties of Life-Cycle CO 2 Emissions Using Hydrogen Energy for Power Generation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, October.
    10. Gürbüz, Emine Yağız & Güler, Onur Vahip & Keçebaş, Ali, 2022. "Environmental impact assessment of a real geothermal driven power plant with two-stage ORC using enhanced exergo-environmental analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 1110-1123.
    11. Balli, Ozgur & Kale, Utku & Rohács, Dániel & Hikmet Karakoc, T., 2022. "Environmental damage cost and exergoenvironmental evaluations of piston prop aviation engines for the landing and take-off flight phases," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    12. Sun, Zuo-Yu & Li, Guo-Xiu, 2016. "Propagation characteristics of laminar spherical flames within homogeneous hydrogen-air mixtures," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 116-127.
    13. Liqiang Xu & Qiufang Cui & Te Tu & Shuo Liu & Long Ji & Shuiping Yan, 2020. "Waste heat recovery from the stripped gas in carbon capture process by membrane technology: Hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic membrane cases," Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 10(2), pages 421-435, April.
    14. Nhuchhen, Daya R. & Sit, Song P. & Layzell, David B., 2022. "Towards net-zero emission cement and power production using Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    15. Blanco-Marigorta, Ana M. & Masi, Marco & Manfrida, Giampaolo, 2014. "Exergo-environmental analysis of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in Gran Canaria," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 223-232.
    16. Zhong, Z.W. & Song, B. & Loh, P.E., 2011. "LCAs of a polycrystalline photovoltaic module and a wind turbine," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 2227-2237.
    17. Julio, Alisson Aparecido Vitoriano & Castro-Amoedo, Rafael & Maréchal, François & González, Aldemar Martínez & Escobar Palacio, José Carlos, 2023. "Exergy and economic analysis of the trade-off for design of post-combustion CO2 capture plant by chemical absorption with MEA," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    18. Park, Chybyung & Jeong, Byongug & Zhou, Peilin, 2022. "Lifecycle energy solution of the electric propulsion ship with Live-Life cycle assessment for clean maritime economy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    19. Nguyen, Ngoc N. & La, Vinh T. & Huynh, Chinh D. & Nguyen, Anh V., 2022. "Technical and economic perspectives of hydrate-based carbon dioxide capture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    20. Andrea J. Boero & Kevin Kardux & Marina Kovaleva & Daniel A. Salas & Jacco Mooijer & Syed Mashruk & Michael Townsend & Kevin Rouwenhorst & Agustin Valera-Medina & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Ammonia-Based Electricity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-20, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:312:y:2024:i:c:s0360544224033358. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.