Clean Energy 101: Ammonia’s Role in the Energy Transition - RMI

This guide by RMI explains the role of ammonia (NH3) in the energy transition, detailing its current fossil-fuel-based production, the transition to low-carbon 'colors' of ammonia, and its potential as a zero-carbon fuel for maritime shipping and a carrier for hydrogen transport.

• Ammonia production currently relies on fossil fuels, contributing over 1 percent of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon intensity varies by feedstock: natural gas produces 2.3 tons of CO2 per ton of NH3, while coal can produce up to 3.9 tons of CO2 per ton of NH3.
• Ammonia is categorized by 'colors' based on production pathways: 'black' or 'brown' for coal-derived, 'gray' for natural gas-based, 'blue' for those using carbon capture, and 'green' for those using renewable electricity and electrolyzers to produce hydrogen from water.
• RMI forecasts that ammonia production in the United States will increase by 113 percent by 2030. This growth is expected to be driven by fertilizers, hydrogen exports, and the maritime sector, with the US shipping sector estimated to require 3 Mtpa of NH3 by 2030.
• Ammonia is a viable energy carrier for hydrogen because its volumetric energy density is 1.5 times higher than hydrogen, making it more cost-effective to liquefy and transport via existing tanker ships. RMI anticipates the EU will drive 10 million tons per annum (Mtpa) of US ammonia demand.
• While green ammonia is carbon-free, its combustion can produce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and nitrous oxide (N2O). NOx can be reduced by over 95 percent using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, and N2O emissions can be rendered practically zero through combustion tuning and after treatment.

APA

RMI (2024). Clean Energy 101: Ammonia’s Role in the Energy Transition - RMI. https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-ammonias-role-in-the-energy-transition/

Chicago

RMI. Clean Energy 101: Ammonia’s Role in the Energy Transition - RMI. 2024. https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-ammonias-role-in-the-energy-transition/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Clean Energy 101: Ammonia’s Role in the Energy Transition - RMI |date=29 July 2024 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-ammonias-role-in-the-energy-transition/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2024clean, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Clean Energy 101: Ammonia’s Role in the Energy Transition - RMI}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/clean-energy-101-ammonias-role-in-the-energy-transition/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }