How to Produce Green Ammonia for under US$300 per tonne – With Element One

Overview: In this episode, Andy Marsland explores the latest advancements in hydrogen and ammonia technologies with Phil Matthews and Troy Philpot. They discuss the potential of hydrogen and ammonia in the green energy sector, focusing on their commercial viability, practical applications, and the innovative technologies developed by Element One which are a potential game changer for the industry.

 Guests:
 
 Phil Matthews - Managing Director of Element One

· Phil is the Managing Director at Element One, where he has dedicated over a decade to advancing the green energy sector. With a specialised focus on hydrogen derivatives, Phil has driven significant research and development initiatives aimed at enhancing renewable energy applications. Phil's academic foundation in Environmental Science and Sustainable Energy Management underpins his commitment to creating sustainable energy solutions for the future. His notable technological contributions include the development of Kraktek, an innovative ammonia reformer and hydrogen purification technology, as well as Ammoniac, a cutting-edge solution for renewable ammonia synthesis.

Troy Philpot - Director of Origination at BE Power Group and consultant to Element One

· Troy is the Director – Origination for the BE Power group of companies. BE Power have over 18GWh of pumped hydro and energy storage projects, totalling around $6B in construction value, under development across Australia. 
 He has over a decade of experience in high voltage electrical infrastructure, services and energy transition projects, with the commercial arm of Energy Queensland, as well as a background in commercial strategy, marketing and business development. 
 Troy supports the Element One team, with insights into commercial viability, potential industry partnerships and helps drive innovation opportunities.

Key Topics:

1.   Introduction to Element One:

·         Phil Matthews introduces Element One, highlighting its focus on hydrogen carriers and the development of innovative technologies, Kraktek and Ammoniac.

·         The company's mission is to revolutionise hydrogen storage and transportation.

2.   Hydrogen Carriers and Transportation:

·         Discussion on the inefficiencies of current hydrogen storage and transportation methods.

·         Comparison between liquid hydrogen, compressed hydrogen, and ammonia as hydrogen carriers.

·         Phil's views on the volumetric energy density of hydrogen and the advantages of ammonia.

3.   Ammonia as a Hydrogen Carrier:

·         Benefits of using ammonia for hydrogen storage and transportation include existing infrastructure and higher energy density.

·         Comparison of ammonia tankers with liquid hydrogen ships in terms of practicality and energy efficiency.

4.   Innovative Technologies:

·         Introduction to Kraktek, an ammonia reformer.

·         The efficiency and purity of hydrogen produced using Crack Tech achieve 99.9999% purity.

·         Development of ammonium hydroxide as a safer alternative for hydrogen storage and transportation.

5.   Commercial Viability:

·         Troy Philpot discusses the economic advantages of Element One's technologies, emphasising cost-effectiveness and green credentials.

·         Discussion of how to produce green ammonia for under USD300 per tonne. 

·         The potential for ammonia to be a cheaper and greener alternative to traditional hydrocarbons.

6.   Safety and Practicality:

·         Addressing the toxicity of ammonia and how Element One's solutions mitigate these concerns.

·         The development of ammonium hydroxide as a safer, room-temperature liquid for hydrogen storage and transportation.

7.   Future Prospects:

·         Potential applications of these technologies in various industries, including transportation, mining, and agriculture.

·         The importance of industry partnerships and the role of universities in advancing these technologies.

·         The challenges of gaining acceptance and the need for first movers to adopt these technologies.

8.   Current Challenges:

·         There are difficulties in proving the technology and gaining wider acceptance.

·         There is a need for industry players with deeper pockets to adopt and scale these technologies.

·         The potential for overseas adoption before widespread use in Australia.

 Conclusion: Andy, Phil, and Troy wrap up the episode by highlighting the transformative potential of ammonia technologies in achieving a sustainable energy future. They emphasise the need for continued innovation and collaboration to overcome current challenges and make these technologies commercially viable.
 
 

Call to Action:

· Subscribe to the "Exploring Hydrogen" podcast for more insights into the hydrogen energy sector.

· Follow Element One and BE Power Group for updates on their latest projects and advancements.

· Check out the University of Newcastle's website for updates on their research and milestones related to hydrogen and ammonia technologies.

Links

·        https://elementone.com.au/

·        https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/hydrogen-compression

·        https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/partnership-puts-green-ammonia-project-on-fast-track-for-real-world-use

·        https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-sh3energy/

·        https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-p-0084a212/