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The Potential Role of Ammonia for Hydrogen Storage and Transport: A Critical Review of Challenges and Opportunities

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  • Viviana Negro

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • Michel Noussan

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

  • David Chiaramonti

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

Hydrogen is being included in several decarbonization strategies as a potential contributor in some hard-to-abate applications. Among other challenges, hydrogen storage represents a critical aspect to be addressed, either for stationary storage or for transporting hydrogen over long distances. Ammonia is being proposed as a potential solution for hydrogen storage, as it allows storing hydrogen as a liquid chemical component at mild conditions. Nevertheless, the use of ammonia instead of pure hydrogen faces some challenges, including the health and environmental issues of handling ammonia and the competition with other markets, such as the fertilizer market. In addition, the technical and economic efficiency of single steps, such as ammonia production by means of the Haber–Bosch process, ammonia distribution and storage, and possibly the ammonia cracking process to hydrogen, affects the overall supply chain. The main purpose of this review paper is to shed light on the main aspects related to the use of ammonia as a hydrogen energy carrier, discussing technical, economic and environmental perspectives, with the aim of supporting the international debate on the potential role of ammonia in supporting the development of hydrogen pathways. The analysis also compares ammonia with alternative solutions for the long-distance transport of hydrogen, including liquefied hydrogen and other liquid organic carriers such as methanol.

Suggested Citation

  • Viviana Negro & Michel Noussan & David Chiaramonti, 2023. "The Potential Role of Ammonia for Hydrogen Storage and Transport: A Critical Review of Challenges and Opportunities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:17:p:6192-:d:1225505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Reuß, M. & Grube, T. & Robinius, M. & Preuster, P. & Wasserscheid, P. & Stolten, D., 2017. "Seasonal storage and alternative carriers: A flexible hydrogen supply chain model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 290-302.
    2. Andrea J. Boero & Kevin Kardux & Marina Kovaleva & Daniel A. Salas & Jacco Mooijer & Syed Mashruk & Michael Townsend & Kevin Rouwenhorst & Agustin Valera-Medina & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Ammonia-Based Electricity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Cesaro, Zac & Ives, Matthew & Nayak-Luke, Richard & Mason, Mike & Bañares-Alcántara, René, 2021. "Ammonia to power: Forecasting the levelized cost of electricity from green ammonia in large-scale power plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    4. Muhammad Aziz & Agung Tri Wijayanta & Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto, 2020. "Ammonia as Effective Hydrogen Storage: A Review on Production, Storage and Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-25, June.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Shashank Deepak Prabhu, 2025. "Understanding the Sustainable Hydrogen Generation Potential for the Region of Bavaria, Germany via Bio-Waste Processing Using Thermochemical Conversion Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-24, April.
    3. Hussein Al-Yafei & Saleh Aseel & Ahmed Alnouss & Ahmad Al-Kuwari & Nagi Abdussamie & Talal Al Tamimi & Hamad Al Mannaei & Heba Ibrahim & Noor Abu Hashim & Bader Al Delayel & Hagar Nasr, 2025. "Blue Ammonia and the Supply Chain Pioneering Sustainability Assessment for a Greener Future," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-32, February.
    4. Seyedeh Azadeh Alavi-Borazjani & Shahzada Adeel & Valentina Chkoniya, 2025. "Hydrogen as a Sustainable Fuel: Transforming Maritime Logistics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-36, March.
    5. Evanthia Kostidi & Dimitrios Lyridis, 2025. "Customizable Life Cycle Cost Methodology for Ammonia Fuel Storage: Enhancing Adoptability Across Diverse Onboard Arrangements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Teodor Kalpakchiev & Brent Jacobs & Markus Fraundorfer & Julia Martin-Ortega & Dana Cordell, 2025. "Creating an Alternative Governance for Phosphorus Circularity Through Framings That Strengthen Intersectoral Policy Coherence in the EU: Constraints and Implementation Possibilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-33, February.
    7. Julián Gómez & Rui Castro, 2024. "Green Hydrogen Energy Systems: A Review on Their Contribution to a Renewable Energy System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-41, June.

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