Japanese power generation service provider JERA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Japanese shipping companies, Nippon Yusen KK (NYK) [9101:JP] and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) [9104:JP], to assess the feasibility of large-volume ammonia fuel transportation, as reported by Nikkei Asia on November 22. The MoU includes initiatives such as building large ammonia fuel carriers and establishing an ammonia fuel transportation and receiving system. JERA hopes to import large-scale ammonia fuel from foreign suppliers to support the implementation of its ammonia-coal co-firing strategy in its Hekinan Thermal Power Station. 

Hekinan Thermal Power Station is one of the largest coal-fired power stations in Japan. The plant is also one of the world’s most polluting power plants in 2018. JERA announced its commitment to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050. To reduce carbon emissions in its operating businesses and get aligned with Japan’s 2050 net-zero goal, JERA partnered with IHI Corporation to test ammonia-coal co-firing technologies in 2021. Ammonia can be directly used as a carbon-free fuel for power plants. However, ammonia is a highly toxic gas, and its burning process may emit other forms of greenhouse gases that are potentially more harmful than carbon dioxide in the long term.

Sources:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Energy/Japan-utility-seeks-huge-ammonia-carriers-to-reduce-coal-use

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac13f1

https://www.jera.co.jp/english/information/20220107_822

https://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/about/special/johoteikyo/sekainosekitankaryoku.html

https://theogm.com/2022/09/29/japans-ammonia-coal-co-firing-strategy-costly-approach-to-decarbonization/#:~:text=But%20burning%20ammonia%20can%20lead,for%20a%20100%2Dyear%20timescale.

https://www.jera.co.jp/english/corporate/zeroemission