Saudi Arabia supplies blue ammonia to Japan. This is reported to be the world’s first shipment of blue ammonia. It will be utilized in Power stations to generate electricity in Japan without carbon effusions.

Saudi Aramco created the fuel by converting hydrocarbons into hydrogen, further converting into ammonia and taking the carbon dioxide byproduct. Aramco confirmed that in the first shipment, Japan will get 40 tons of blue ammonia.

Ammonia can be combusted in thermal power stations without any carbon emissions. According to Aramco, this process signifies that there is a possibility to make a notable contribution to a reliable and affordable low-carbon energy future.

Japan is focused on becoming a world leader in using hydrogen which is contained in ammonia. The country is committed to decreasing 26% greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in comparison with 2013 levels, in accordance with the Paris climate agreement.

Blue ammonia is a renewable resource for blue hydrogen, a type of fuel created from fossil fuels by capturing and storing CO2 emissions. Hydrogen from renewable energy that produces no emission is called as green hydrogen.

The world’s largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia is, continuously trying to counter its image for producing dirty energy. Recently, Aramco highlighted the low volume of greenhouse gases emitted by pumping Saudi crude, programs to increase gas production, and strategizes to cultivate carbon-absorbing mangroves.

Air Products & Chemicals Inc, a US firm, signed a $5 billion contract with Saudi’s ACWA Power International to build a hydrogen-based ammonia plant that will be powered by renewable energy.

Sabic, a chemical producer in Saudi which is majorly owned by Aramco and Mitsubishi Corp is managing the transport logistics for the blue ammonia project with JGC Corp, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co, UBE Industries, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering.

Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, the chief technology officer at Aramco confirmed that the world-first demonstration signifies a thrilling opportunity for the company to represent the potential of hydrocarbons as an affordable and reliable source of low-carbon, ammonia, and hydrogen.

 

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-27/saudi-arabia-sends-blue-ammonia-to-japan-in-world-first-shipment