Wärtsilä, Höegh LNG hydrogen carrier project wins state backing

The funds are marked for the development of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for the energy market. It is a part of Norway’s Green Platform programme of initiatives and amounts to approximate 50% of the total project budget. 

The project is designed to enhance the availability of large-scale storage and transportation capabilities of clean energy. And in particular, addressing the challenges related to storing and transporting hydrogen. Due to hydrogen’s low volumetric energy density, it carries the potential for large vaporisation losses. 

Ammonia is significantly better suited than hydrogen for this purpose, since it can be stored in liquid form at moderate pressures and temperatures. The objective of the project is to enable ammonia to be converted back to hydrogen at the receiving destination.

As a carbon-neutral renewable energy carrier, ‘green’ ammonia is produced from hydrogen, via electrolysis of water, and nitrogen from the air. The significant emissions reduction impact will reflect this green approach when the energy is consumed. Green ammonia acts as a liquid battery with a high energy density compared with alternative solutions for storing and transporting renewable power. The infrastructure for the large-scale transport of ammonia at sea already exists via a fleet of gas tankers having ammonia on the cargo list.

The project aims to develop a system to convert ammonia back to hydrogen, which will then be installed on board a Höegh LNG vessel. This will provide a floating receiving terminal capable of being relocated as needed, requiring minimal use of coastal land and a solution resulting in lower overall costs, improved safety and competitive hydrogen prices.

“This important project is a natural extension of the investments and efforts made by Wärtsilä to accelerate the use of decarbonised energy,” said Wärtsilä Gas Solutions vice president Walter Reggente.

“Hydrogen will play a considerable role in future renewable fuel consumption, and there is a clear need for the development of ammonia as a storage and transportation carrier for hydrogen. We are grateful to the Norwegian government for its support and funding, and we appreciate the co-operation of Höegh LNG and our other partners in making this project possible.” 

“As a world leading provider of fast-track floating LNG terminals, we are well-positioned to support the transition to clean, carbon-free energy. New and innovative solutions will need to be developed and we look forward to working together to ensure we remain at the forefront of the energy transition,” said Höegh LNG chief executive Erik Nyheim.