Early-stage techno-economic evaluation of electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia based on catalyst performance

The direct electrochemical reduction of nitrogen offers a promising alternative to produce ammonia, an important chemical and potential energy carrier. While current research focuses on developing and improving catalysts for this reaction, studies evaluating the process and establishing catalyst performance targets remain limited. We performed a techno-economic analysis to evaluate the process based on the performance of the nitrogen reduction reaction catalyst. As a result, we identify catalyst performance targets: minimal performance levels as a combination of cell potential, Faraday efficiency, and current density required to reach cost parity with benchmark prices. The minimal catalyst performance levels are illustrated via curves that relate the required current density to the Faraday efficiency. For a competitive process, current densities and Faraday efficiencies above 100 mA cm -2 and 60%, respectively, are required. Although some catalyst development studies report sufficiently high Faraday efficiencies, the current densities are well below the required. Contrary to the literature’s emphasis on maximizing the Faraday efficiency, our results underscore the need for higher current densities at sufficiently high Faraday efficiencies. Although parameters such as electricity or benchmark prices change the absolute values of the required catalyst performance, the primary conclusions remain unchanged. This analysis provides clear guidance for future catalyst development. • Capital investment cost estimation for NRR, an electrochemical process at low TRL. • Determination of required catalyst performance to reach cost parity with benchmarks. • Considerable catalyst development, especially in the current density, required. • Faraday efficiencies close to 100% are not required. • Higher current densities (above 100mAcm -2 ) required.