Green hydrogen is a key source of energy to drive the transition to a sustainable future

We face an unprecedented challenge: fighting climate change. To achieve this, it is crucial to understand what hydrogen is and why the “green” variety of this element plays such an essential role in our fight for a more sustainable future.

Green hydrogen is a clean and sustainable type of fuel. Hydrogen in its molecular form (H₂) is used as a versatile energy source in various sectors. What is distinctive about green hydrogen is that it is produced through an electrolysis process using renewable energy, such as solar or wind energy, instead of relying on fossil fuels. This approach makes it an environmentally friendly alternative, with uses ranging from mobility and industry to electricity generation.

Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe. It is clean by nature, since its use does not lead to the generation of polluting emissions. However, the key to understand its environmental impact lies in how it is produced.

Hydrogen can be produced through:

• Natural gas
• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Geothermal energy
• Biomass
• Nuclear energy
• Fossil fuels

Hydrogen is classified into different color codes pursuant to the production method used. This classification is crucial for determining if hydrogen production involves the generation of greenhouse gases or not.

What is distinctive about green hydrogen is that it is produced through a process called water electrolysis, using renewable energy, such as solar or wind energy, instead of depending on fossil fuels, so it does not generate polluting emissions.

At MAE, we will produce green hydrogen precisely through electrolysis, using a highly sustainable approach.

Ammonia is a colorless gas used in various industries, such as the production of fertilizers, medicines, and cleaning products, among many others. It is one of the most produced and marketed chemicals in the world. However, it is not only used in industry and commerce, it also exists naturally in humans and the environment.

The concept of “green ammonia” refers to ammonia produced through the reaction between hydrogen obtained from renewable sources and atmospheric nitrogen. This form of ammonia presents a highly convenient solution to address the challenges associated with hydrogen storage and transportation.

It is obtained naturally through the decomposition of organic matter and also through industrial processes. The latter is produced using the Haber-Bosch technique, which generates a chemical reaction between nitrogen and hydrogen.

Ammonia is considered green ammonia when the hydrogen used for its production is obtained through sustainable processes with renewable energy.

Green ammonia not only represents an efficient solution for the storage and transportation of green hydrogen, but also has notable advantages:

• Hydrogen Carrier: due to its low density, hydrogen is very difficult to transport, so it needs a carrier to do so, and ammonia stands out as one of the most economical hydrogen carriers in the world.

• Reliable and Proven: ammonia is one of the most produced chemical compounds in the world and has a long history of industrial use. Due to this, the technology and infrastructure necessary for its transportation and marketing on a global level already exists.

• Cost Leader: green ammonia production stands out for its ability to substantially reduce total costs compared to other hydrogen storage and transportation solutions.

• Use in various industries: besides serving as a transport for green hydrogen, green ammonia may help to reduce the carbon footprint of industries.

Green ammonia is key to achieve the global decarbonization goals, since it may replace important and difficult-to-decarbonize supplies that have a significant carbon footprint.

It can be used, for example, as fuel, fertilizer or chemical material, among other uses. It is also used to transport green hydrogen because the low density of hydrogen makes it difficult to store and transport.

At MAE, we will produce green ammonia with only three ingredients:

• Green hydrogen
• Renewable energy
• Nitrogen from the atmosphere

Using renewable energies, nitrogen is obtained from the atmosphere through an air separation unit. Then, the nitrogen obtained along with the green hydrogen are processed using the Haber Bosch method that produces green ammonia.