Understanding the Benefits of Green Ammonia as a Clean Energy Source

Ammonia, a chemical compound with the formula NH3. It consists of one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Ammonia is colorless and has a characteristic sharp odor. It has volatile properties and can dissolve in water to form a solution known as ammonium hydroxide.

Ammonia has many uses in a variety of industries. One of its main uses is as a raw material in the production of fertilizers. Ammonia is used as an important source of nitrogen in fertilizers to support plant growth. In addition, ammonia is also used in the chemical industry to make various products, such as explosives, cleaning agents, and other chemicals.

The context of "green ammonia" refers to the process of making ammonia using 100% renewable and carbon-free materials. Where ammonia is produced using renewable energy, such as solar, wind, or hydro energy.

Green ammonia is produced in more environmentally friendly and sustainable compared to ammonia produced through traditional processes that use fossil fuels. Green ammonia has the potential as a clean energy source that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels.

About Clean Energy

Clean energy is an energy source that is produced using technology and processes that have minimal environmental impact. Has a low risk both in terms of social, health and environment. Clean energy is also referred to as renewable energy. The use of clean energy can help reduce the negative impacts arising from the fossil energy that has been used so far.

Clean energy does not produce or siginificantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and has less impact on the environment compared to conventional energy sources like fossil fuels.

In this modern era, the need for clean energy sources is increasingly urgent. Global climate change, dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, and air pollution have driven the search for energy alternatives that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Here are some clean energy sources that can help meet the world's energy needs with a low environmental impact:

• Solar Energy

Solar energy is the most abundant energy source on the planet. Through the use of sunlight, it can generate electricity through solar panels or heat water through solar collectors. The advantage of solar energy is that it does not produce greenhouse gas emissions during its operation. In recent years, the cost of solar panels has dropped significantly, making solar energy more affordable and widely adopted.

• Wind Energy

Wind energy has long been used as a source of clean energy. Wind turbines convert wind energy into electrical energy. The advantage of wind energy is that it does not produce carbon emissions and can be placed on land or offshore. The development of offshore wind tourism has become a trend in several countries that have abundant wind potential along their coasts.

• Water Energy

Water energy, also known as hydro energy, is obtained from the movement of water such as rivers or waterfalls. Hydroelectric power plants use water turbines to generate electrical energy. This energy source can be highly reliable and can generate electricity on an ongoing basis. However, the construction of reservoirs for hydroelectric power generation can have significant environmental impacts, such as changes in river flow patterns and changes in ecosystems.

• Biomass

Biomass is an energy source derived from organic matter, such as agricultural waste, wood waste, food waste, and plant biomass. Biomass can be used to generate heat and electricity through combustion processes or through technologies such as biogas and biofuels. One of the main advantages of biomass is that it is a renewable energy source, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. However, it is important to ensure that the source of biomass used is produced in a sustainable manner and does not compete with food needs.

• Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy uses the heat generated by the earth's core to generate electricity. It involves drilling geothermal wells to generate steam which is then used to drive electric turbines. The advantage of geothermal energy is that it is a renewable and reliable source, but building and maintaining geothermal wells can be expensive.

• Clean Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy can be considered a clean energy source because it does not produce greenhouse gas emissions when it operates. Nuclear reactions in nuclear power plants produce thermal energy which is then converted into electrical energy. However, the management of nuclear waste and the risk of nuclear accidents remain a concern in the context of nuclear energy.

Nuclear power produces either high or low levels of radioactive waste that remains hazardous for hundreds of thousands of years. Nuclear waste which is very dangerous for health is produced from all nuclear energy cycles. Currently, more than 2,000 metric tons of high-level radioactive waste and 340,000 cubic meters of low-level radioactive waste are produced annually by the 103 active reactors in the United States.

Until now, no country in the world has been able to find a solution to this nuclear waste problem.

• Energy Efficiency

In addition to finding new sources of clean energy, energy efficiency is also important in reducing unnecessary energy consumption. Energy efficiency efforts involve using more efficient technologies, planning energy-efficient buildings, more efficient transportation systems, and changing behavior to reduce energy waste.

• Use of Ammonia and Hydrogen

Hydrogen and Ammonia are touted as future sources of clean energy that are environmentally friendly. The two types of chemicals are also considered to be a substitute for fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Hydrogen and ammonia fuel can be used to fuel ships, trains, heavy trucks and buses. Apart from being used as a vehicle energy source, hydrogen and ammonia can also be used as fuel in power plants.

To achieve a sustainable and environmentally friendly society requires a combination of various sources of clean energy that includes abundant natural resources in every region. The transition to clean energy requires collaboration between government, industry and society to increase investment in new technologies, reduce regulatory barriers and increase awareness of the benefits of clean energy. With wide adoption and strong commitment, it is believed to be able to achieve a sustainable energy future and reduce negative impacts on the environment.

Facts About Green Ammonia

Green ammonia has several benefits as a clean energy source. First, as an alternative to fossil fuels, green ammonia can be used in various sectors, including transportation, power generation, and industry. The use of green ammonia helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Second, green ammonia can be used as a medium for storage and transportation of renewable energy. Ammonia has a high energy density and can be easily stored and transported through existing infrastructure. This allows renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy, to be collected, stored in the form of green ammonia, and distributed to various locations easily. Green ammonia can be a solution to the problem of efficient storage and transportation in renewable energy systems.

Third, green ammonia can also provide access to energy in remote areas that are difficult to reach by traditional energy infrastructure. The decentralized production of green ammonia allows remote areas to take advantage of available renewable energy sources around them, such as sunlight or wind, to produce their own ammonia. This reduces their dependence on imported fossil fuels and increases their access to more affordable and sustainable energy.

Although green ammonia offers benefits as a source of clean energy, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome. Production efficiency, high production costs, and immature supporting infrastructure are some of the factors that need attention to increase the widespread adoption of green ammonia.

To achieve the goal of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy, green ammonia has great potential as a sustainable energy solution. In understanding the benefits of green ammonia as a source of clean energy, we can encourage technology development and wider adoption to achieve a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy system.

Fertilizer and Green Ammonia Industry

PT. Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (PKT) is one of the largest fertilizer industry companies in Indonesia which is developing green ammonia as its newest innovation. Green ammonia is ammonia produced using renewable energy and has a lower environmental impact compared to conventional ammonia production methods that use fossil fuels.

PKT recognizes the importance of transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy in the fertilizer industry. Green ammonia has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help reduce dependence on fossil fuels in the fertilizer production process.

Pupuk Kaltim together with Copenhagen Atomics, Topsoe, Alfa Laval, and Aalborg CSP initiated a study on green ammonia production using thorium-based energy. Like green ammonia, thorium is also classified as a more economical source of green energy. In Indonesia, the potential for thorium content is estimated at 210,000-270,000 tons stored in Bangka, West Kalimantan and West Sulawesi.

Apart from being environmentally friendly and targeting to support the net zero emission program launched by the Indonesian government in 2060, PKT sees the market potential for green ammonia as very high. In the future, it is predicted that more consumers will switch to the use of renewable energy such as green ammonia, which in its production process does not produce CO2 emissions. Therefore, PKT seeks to develop ammonia production technology without using hydrocarbon raw materials as one of the decarbonization efforts.

Some of the benefits of developing green ammonia by PKT include:

• Reduction of Carbon Emissions

Green ammonia is produced using renewable energy, such as solar or wind energy, which produces no carbon emissions. In the green ammonia production process, PKT can reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced during the conventional ammonia production process. This is a positive step in facing the challenge of climate change.

• Diversification of Energy Sources

Developing green ammonia allows PKT to diversify energy sources used in fertilizer production. Lower dependence on traditional fossil fuels helps reduce the risk of fluctuations in the price and availability of fossil fuels. This is also in line with the global vision to achieve energy security and reduce environmental pollution.

• Competitive advantage

In an increasingly environmentally conscious market, companies that adopt eco-friendly solutions such as green ammonia can have a competitive advantage. PKT can position itself as a leader in the sustainable fertilizer industry and gain higher customer trust.

• Response to Environmental Regulations

Governments and international agencies are increasingly adopting stringent environmental regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the transition to clean energy. By developing green ammonia, PKT can meet stricter regulatory requirements and maintain its business continuity in the long term.

In addition, the development of green ammonia by PKT is also a step align with global efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Especially this initiative supports SDG 7 on Renewable and Affordable Energy, SDG 9 on Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 13 on Climate Action.

Through the development of green ammonia, PKT shows a commitment to play a role in the transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly society. This move can inspire other companies in the fertilizer industry and other sectors to adopt similar clean energy solutions and contribute to global environmental protection. (Nisa)