The potential of green ammonia in the de-fossilization of the steel, glass and cement industries

The development of new technologies for the synthesis of green ammonia using exclusively hydrogen from water and nitrogen from air in processes driven exclusively by renewable energy is poised to decarbonize the production of this important molecule for the production of green fertilizers as well as offering a carbon-free vector for the long-term storage of renewable energy. In this article, we explore and quantify the CO₂ emission reduction potential of green ammonia, evaluating how it can facilitate the decarbonization of other hard-to-abate industrial processes such as steel, glass and cement industries. Green ammonia can be used as a direct replacement of fossil fuels used as energy sources in the different processes. In addition, green ammonia can facilitate the electrification of the processes (so-called Power-to-X) by storing renewable energy in the long term to balance a decarbonized grid against intermittent renewable energy supplies. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue 'Green carbon for the chemical industry of the future'.