Search
Cost-competitive decentralized ammonia fertilizer production can increase food security

May 16, 2024 | Nature Food | Source

Introduction: The current ammonia production is centralized in large chemical manufacturing facilities, making nitrogen fertilizer production vulnerable to high transportation costs and fossil fuel price fluctuations. Global research team led by Carnegie Institution for Science in the U.S. explores electrified ammonia production based on electric Haber–Bosch and electrocatalysis in small, decentralized production facilities within areas serviced by public power grid or powered by solar agrivoltaic systems or grid electricity. 

Key findings: Decentralized production could become cost-competitive with traditional centralized methods, especially when accounting for transport costs and supply chain disruptions. By 2030, up to 96% of global ammonia demand could be met cost-effectively through decentralized production. This shift would benefit regions with food insecurity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions. Cost evaluation is performed by comparing decentralized production with historical ammonia market prices. Findings indicate that decentralized technologies, particularly those connected to the grid, could significantly lower fertilizer costs. Agrivoltaic systems would stabilize prices but require additional storage for continuous operation.

Decentralized ammonia production offers advantages such as reduced need for storage, lower risk of nitrogen loss during transport, and independence from fossil fuel price swings. Overall, this approach could transform the fertilizer industry, promoting sustainable agriculture and enhancing global food security.

 

Figure | Location of ammonia demand on croplands in the current scenario supplied by either decentralized electric Haber–Bosch or decentralized electrocatalysis in the grid-connected configuration. For each pixel, the cost of ammonia production from decentralized technologies is determined based on the earliest year that achieves cost-competitiveness among 2020 (red), 2030 (blue) and 2050 (green). The cost of decentralized production is compared with the cost of ammonia production from centralized production and the cost of ammonia at the demand point, inclusive of the cost of transport. Reference costs of ammonia production from centralized production are €390 t−1, €780 t−1 and €1,063 t−1 of NH3, chosen from the median, 95th percentile, and maximum prices of the historical ammonia market price, respectively. In addition, the cost of logistics for transporting ammonia is added to the three prices, resulting in a twofold increase in the price of ammonia at the demand point. a,d, Ammonia production by decentralized electric Haber–Bosch (a) or decentralized electrocatalysisis (d) is never cost-competitive with centralized fossil-based production under low market prices from centralized production and excluding the cost of transport of ammonia. b,c, Cost-competitiveness based on electric Haber–Bosch is reached for the projected technological development in 2030 and 2050 and in comparison with the median cost of production combined with the cost of transport (equivalent to the 95th percentile cost of ammonia production) (b) and the 95th percentile cost of production with the additional cost of transport (c). e,f, Cost-competitiveness based on decentralized electrocatalysisis is reached for the projected technological development in 2030 and 2050 and in comparison with the median cost of production combined with the cost of transport (equivalent to the 95th percentile cost of ammonia production) (e) and the 95th percentile cost of production with the additional cost of transport (f). Yellow-coloured pixels represent regions where decentralized production is not cost-competitive.

 

Viewed Articles
Cost-competitive decentralized ammonia fertilizer production can increase food security
May 16, 2024 | Nature Food | Source | Introduction: The current ammonia production is centralized in large chemical manufacturing facilities, making nitrogen fertilizer production vulnerable to high t
The sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
December 2-13, 2024 | In-person | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Source | This landmark event marks the UNCCD's 30th anniversary and focuses on addressing global land degradation and drought resilience. W
Oct 23, 2024
Creating a Practical Algorithm for Real-Time Monitoring of Crop Growth Using Combined Satellite Data
June 26, 2023 | Remote Sensing of EnvironmentA research team comprising experts from South Dakota State University, the USDA, California State University Monterey Bay, and the University of Maryland h
Aug 27, 2023
Read More
Optimized agricultural management reduces global cropland nitrogen losses to air and water
November 12, 2024 | Nature Food | Source |  Introduction: While nitrogen (N) inputs are essential for crop productivity, N losses from croplands contribute to major environmental issues, including cli
Conventional agriculture increases global warming while decreasing system sustainability
November 4, 2024 | Nature Climate Change | Source |  Introduction: The research, led by scientists from South China Agricultural University (China) with a global team from Egypt, Russia, and Germany,
Livestock greenhouse gas emission and mitigation potential in China
December 15, 2023 | Journal of Environmental Management | Source |  Introduction: Livestock production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) in China, challenging the country’s 20
Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in pasture-based dairy-beef production systems
October, 2023 | Agricultural Systems | Source |  Introduction: Ireland’s beef sector, responsible for 37% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, presents key opportunities for climate mitigation
A conceptual framework for understanding the environmental impacts of ultra-processed foods and implications for sustainable food systems
September 25, 2022 | Journal of Cleaner Production | Source |  Introduction: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) exacerbate the global food system’s failure by driving environmental harm, undermining nutriti
TOP