Case Study 1 – Ammonia Tool

Tools:

Download the ammonia tool and the instruction manual here: https://www.globh2e.org.au/hysupplyammoniatool

Download the shipping tool and instruction manual here:https://www.globh2e.org.au/shipping-cost-tool

Note that the starting scenario for each of the questions below is the same as the default values when the file is downloaded. You can always download the file again to reset all values to the defaults.

Note that the “Calculate” button must be used after changing inputs and can take a while to complete. When complete the “Results” sheet will open automatically.

Questions:

1. Draw two process flow diagrams for the production of green ammonia from green hydrogen. Only major process steps are required. Boxes can be used rather than equipment. Draw two different diagrams, for:

a. The use of a battery as the balancing technology

b. The use of a combined cycle ammonia turbine as the balancing technology

2. Set the location to “Geraldtown WA” and the production to 500,000 tpa of ammonia. For (a-b) below, this should be the initial “Scope of Analysis” inputs.

Leave all other values as their default. Determine the effect on levelised cost of:

a. Configuring the power plant as solar only vs. wind only. By looking at the ammonia production, the cost components, and the capacity factors for key equipment, explain the trend in levelised cost and ammonia production.

b. Compare the use of a battery, an ammonia combined cycle turbine, and no balancing technology. By looking at the ammonia production, the cost components, and the capacity factor plot, explain the trend in levelised cost and ammonia production. 

3. The Yuri Project in WA aims to generate around 3700 tpa of green ammonia.

a. Determine the levelised cost of green ammonia production using the following information:

· Production of 3700 tpa of ammonia

· A 25-year project lifetime

· 20 tonnes of hydrogen storage capacity

Use information available online to find:

· The electrolyser capacity

· The renewable energy source that will be used (solar / wind) and renewable plant size

· Balancing technology used (if any)

· The renewables generation data (using either (i) the project location and https://www.renewables.ninja/ - note that instructions on extracting data is given in the tool instruction manual, or (ii) a suitable location within the tool if one is present)

Default values in the tool, and reasonable justified assumptions, can be used for all other inputs.

b. What are the “Electrolyser System Oversizing” and the “Renewable Energy Plant Oversizing” values required to attain the electrolyser capacity, power plant capacity, and balancing technology capacity that you determined?

c. Using the shipping tool, determine the cost to ship the ammonia to a country in the EU, using a relevant port near the plant. You can ignore costs to transport from the plant to the port. Justify assumptions that you used in the tool.

d. How does the cost of production and transport compare to the current cost of ammonia in the EU (both green and fossil-based ammonia)?

4. Reflect on the global progress towards a renewable ammonia economy considering the current price of fossil-derived ammonia, and future targets and legislation, both global and national (expected length ~750-1000 words).