NEDO backs JERA’s study on hydrogen and ammonia in Thailand

JERA’s survey of hydrogen and ammonia demand, and demonstration research to achieve stable operation of ammonia cracking equipment in Thailand has been selected as a New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) International Project.

Specifically, JERA received notice of acceptance of its application, together with its subsidiary JERA Asia and Toyo Engineering Corporation, for a grant as a NEDO International Demonstration Project on Japan’s Technologies for Decarbonization and Energy Transition.

For the project, JERA said the three companies will jointly investigate methods of providing a stable supply of hydrogen in Thailand and the potential for its widespread use across a range of industries, while also verifying the technology for extracting hydrogen from ammonia through cracking and developing ways to optimize the design of hydrogen storage facilities. The project is scheduled to run for one year beginning from the middle of fiscal 2024.

To note, ammonia is a clean fuel that is said to emit no CO2 during combustion and, because it can be decomposed (cracked) to generate hydrogen, it is expected to be used as a carrier for hydrogen transport and storage.

JERA claimed: “To quickly achieve a hydrogen society, it will be important to ensure that the ammonia cracking equipment used to extract hydrogen from ammonia is able to respond to the demand for hydrogen, and to reduce its cost.”

Back in 2023, JERA concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PTT Public Company Limited to collaborate on initiatives for expanding the supply chain and usage of hydrogen and ammonia towards decarbonization in Thailand, and through this current project, the two companies will continue to cooperate.