Japan’s top power generator, JERA, said it has plans to co-fire 20% of ammonia with coal at its Hekinan thermal power station.
The trial, which is first of its kind, is to be conducted with heavy machinery maker IHI 7013.T,from March 26 to June 19 and is part of JERA’s decarbonisation efforts, the company said.
The project began with small volumes of ammonia at another unit at Hekinan, aimed to cut CO2 emissions using ammonia.
“By conducting this demonstration and establishing combustion technology, we can take the first step toward promoting zero-emission thermal power plants that do not emit CO2,” Katsuya Tanigawa, head of the Hekinan power station, told reporters.
“We want to contribute to the decarbonisation of the entire world through the use of our technology in countries and regions where thermal power plants are needed,” he added, according to Reuters news agency.
Ammonia is mainly made from hydrogen produced from natural gas and nitrogen from the air. The gas does not emit CO2 when burned; however, its production releases emissions if it is made with fossil fuels.
Japan, ranks as the world’s fifth-largest CO2 emitter, is pursuing the utilisation of ammonia and hydrogen as alternative fuels for thermal power generation. This initiative aligns with its ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, environmental advocates have raised concerns, arguing that this strategy might inadvertently prolong the existence of polluting coal-fired power plants.
