An ammonia-to-hydrogen project led by Norway’s Hoegh LNG and Finland’s Wartsila has received NOK60mn ($5.78mn) in funding from the Norwegian government, equivalent to 50pc of the expected cost.

The project aims to develop a system installed onboard a floating receiving terminal that can convert ammonia to hydrogen.

“As a world leading provider of fast-track floating LNG terminals, we are well-positioned to support the transition to clean, carbon-free energy. New and innovative solutions will need to be developed, and we look forward to working together to ensure we remain at the forefront of the energy transition,” says Erik Nyheim, CEO of Hoegh LNG. The firm aims to ensure future terminals are compatible with green hydrogen, green ammonia and effuels, as well as liquefied biogas.

NOK120mn – Expected cost of project

While ammonia has a number of advantages as a hydrogen carrier, such as relative ease of storage compared with liquefied hydrogen, conversion back to hydrogen for end-use presents a significant challenge owing to cost and energy losses.

French industrial gases firm Air Liquide has announced plans to develop a pilot large-scale ammonia cracker at the port of Antwerp by 2024, while a consortium of 18 companies have commissioned a feasibility study for a central 1mn t/yr cracking unit in the port of Rotterdam.

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Author: Polly Martin