Wartsila, partners get €5.9mn funding for ammonia project

Wartsila, along with Norway-based Hoegh LNG and other partners, has received funding of approximately €5.9mn ($6.5mn) from the Norwegian government for the development of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for the energy market, Wartsila said on April 13.

The funding to Wartsila, Hoegh LNG, Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), University of South-East Norway, Sustainable Energy and BASF is a part of Norway’s Green Platform programme of initiatives and amounts to approximate 50% of the total budget for the joint project.

The project is designed to enhance the availability of large-scale storage and transportation capabilities of clean energy, Wartsila said.

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

The project aims to develop a system to convert ammonia back to hydrogen, which will then be installed onboard a Hoegh LNG vessel. This will provide a floating receiving terminal capable of being relocated as needed, requiring minimal use of coastal land.

“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 Erik Nyheim, CEO Hoegh LNG.