Optimizing islanded green ammonia and hydrogen production and export from Saudi Arabia

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 56; pp. 959 - 972
• Main Authors: Florez, Julian, AlAbbad, Mohammed, Vazquez-Sanchez, Holkan, Morales, Miguel Gonzalez, Sarathy, S. Mani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 22-02-2024
• Subjects: Green ammonia; Green hydrogen; Optimization-based simulation; Renewable energy potential; Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia; Renewable energy potential; Green hydrogen; Optimization-based simulation; Green ammonia
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.12.075

Hydrogen and its derivatives hold significant promise for decarbonizing power and transport. This study proposes a mixed-integer linear optimization model for the flexible production and transportation of islanded green hydrogen and ammonia. Wind and solar databases of three coastal locations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were utilized to provide a holistic geographic perspective. The results show that plant optimization can lead to production levelized costs of ammonia of 383 USD/tonne NH3, and production levelized costs of hydrogen down to 1.57 USD/kg H2 by 2030. The single largest cost driver is the energy cost, representing 60–70 % of the total project cost. In low-wind resource areas, battery storage technology plays a critical role in supplying consistent energy for continuous ammonia synthesis. Transportation to final demand centers in Europe or Asia can lead to additional costs of less than 40 USD/tonne NH3 and less than 0.8 USD/kg H2 via liquid hydrogen route.
•The ammonia and hydrogen production costs across Saudi Arabia are quantified•Green ammonia and hydrogen can reach fossil fuel production cost parity by 2030•Electrical or chemical storage plays essential operational buffer roles•Grey box formulation can lead to results agreeing with technical white box models