Comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle greenhouse gases analysis of green ammonia production utilizing PV and wind energy: Jordan as a case study

Ammonia (NH3) has emerged as a critical player in the global energy transition due to its potential as a low-carbon fuel. Conventional ammonia production methods, primarily through steam methane reforming, are significant contributors to global CO2 emissions. This study investigates the potential of green ammonia production in Jordan by leveraging the country's abundant solar photovoltaic and wind energy resources. A comprehensive techno-economic and life cycle greenhouse gas analysis was conducted to compare green ammonia production with conventional grey and blue ammonia pathways. The study utilized spatial mapping to assess renewable energy capacity factors across Jordan and optimized the integration of hybrid PV/wind systems with proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. The results indicate that the levelized cost of green ammonia (LCOA) in Jordan varies between 900 USD/kg NH3 and 2500 USD/kg NH3 which is significantly higher than grey ammonia (∼360 USD/kg NH3). Nevertheless, the carbon intensity of green ammonia production (between 0.1 kg CO2eq/kg NH3 and 0.5 kg CO2eq/kg NH3) is much lower than the grey ammonia (1.8 kg CO2eq/kg NH3). Finally, the results indicate that considering future reductions in capital costs and advancement in renewable energy systems and PEM electrolyzers as well as the ability to sell the co-product O2 can reduce the LCOA by up to 92 % and make it competitive with grey ammonia.