Green ammonia offers environmental benefits that could shape clean energy, but it might be simultaneously damaging the climate. A new study raises concerns about green ammonia.
Green ammonia, once heralded as the next step in climate innovation, now faces challenges as a new study reveals it contributes to worsened air quality.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) warns that “burning ammonia for maritime fuel could worsen air quality further and lead to devastating public health impacts, unless it is adopted alongside strengthened emissions regulations.”
Due to its high energy density and ability to burn without carbon emissions, ammonia has been hailed as a potential green fuel. The MIT research indicates that the process of production may compromise ammonia’s green credentials.
Burning Ammonia Impact
In addition to producing nitrogen oxides and strong greenhouse gases, burning ammonia releases unburned ammonia. This turns into dangerous particulate matter. According to the study by MIT, moving to ammonia fuel could lead to up to 600,000 more premature deaths yearly. Compared to the emissions from current maritime shipping, the switch could prevent roughly 66,000 premature deaths and mitigate global warming with better regulations and cleaner technology.
The study group also looked into the possibility of “green ammonia,” which would entail electrolyzing hydrogen using renewable energy sources. They pointed out that widespread adoption remains difficult given the scale and cost of current renewable hydrogen production.
Expert Takeaways
Many experts consider ammonia, especially the invention of green ammonia, as a groundbreaking development in climate technology and fertilizer industry. In fact, Forbes reported that in the process of decarbonizing heavy industries, green ammonia will be increasingly important as these technologies advance and become more affordable.
As climate technology develops to meet the demands of a carbon-free future, difficulties arise. Experts must now weigh whether the cost of burning ammonia is less than the benefit. This will take a coordinated effort from environmental scientists across the globe.
For many experts, a clear path remains to a clean energy future free from carbon emissions.
