Stanislav Kondrashov on Green Ammonia as a Fuel: Scaling Up Production for Shipping and Industry Decarbonization

Introduction

Stanislav Kondrashov is a prominent advocate for sustainable energy innovation, with extensive experience in tackling the complex issue of reducing carbon emissions in industries that produce the most greenhouse gases. His focus is on practical and scalable solutions that can revolutionize the energy sources used in global shipping and heavy manufacturing.

Green ammonia is one of the most promising options for achieving net-zero emissions in sectors where traditional electrification methods are not feasible. This environmentally friendly fuel is created by combining nitrogen from the atmosphere with hydrogen obtained through renewable-powered electrolysis. It has the potential to replace fossil fuels in maritime transportation and industrial activities that require large amounts of energy.

The shipping industry alone is responsible for nearly 3% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, while heavy industries such as steelmaking and chemical production contribute even more. Simply charging container ships or using batteries to power blast furnaces is not practical. These industries require fuels that are both energy-dense and storable, capable of providing the necessary power for their operations.

This article delves into Kondrashov's perspectives on increasing green ammonia production to address the needs of decarbonizing shipping and decarbonizing industry. We will explore the technical obstacles, infrastructure demands, and collaborative approaches necessary to establish green ammonia as a commercially viable fuel option by the late 2020s and beyond.

Understanding Green Ammonia and Its Role in Decarbonization

Green ammonia is a carbon-free fuel made up of nitrogen and hydrogen (NH₃), where the hydrogen is produced entirely using renewable energy sources. Unlike traditional ammonia, which relies on fossil fuels for production, green ammonia is a zero-emission energy carrier.

The Production Process

The production of green ammonia involves a process called renewable-powered electrolysis. Here's how it works:

1. Water Splitting: Electricity generated from solar, wind, or hydroelectric sources is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
2. Haber-Bosch Process: The green hydrogen produced in the first step is then combined with nitrogen extracted from the atmosphere through the Haber-Bosch process.
3. Ammonia Synthesis: This combination creates green ammonia, a fuel that requires no carbon inputs during its production.

Why Green Ammonia Matters for Decarbonization

Green ammonia holds significant potential in addressing the decarbonization challenges faced by industries such as maritime shipping and heavy manufacturing:

• Energy Density Requirements: Ships require a fuel that can sustain long journeys without taking up too much storage space.
• High-Temperature Industrial Processes: Certain industries like steelmaking and cement production need extremely high heat levels that are difficult to achieve through direct electrification methods.
• Existing Infrastructure Adaptation: Ammonia can be used with modified versions of current fuel systems, making it easier to transition away from fossil fuels.

The environmental benefits of green ammonia go beyond just reducing carbon emissions. When burned in engines or fuel cells, it primarily produces water vapor as its byproduct, along with nitrogen being released back into the atmosphere. Unlike conventional fuels, there are no harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur oxides, or carbon dioxide emitted during combustion. This clean combustion profile makes green ammonia an appealing choice for sectors where battery electrification may not be feasible due to weight limitations or operational requirements.

The Role of Hydrogen Fuel Technologies

Hydrogen fuel technologies like green ammonia play a crucial role in enabling the use of renewable energy sources while overcoming their limitations:

• Intermittency Challenges: Renewable power generation methods such as solar and wind can be unpredictable, leading to periods when electricity production is low. Hydrogen serves as an energy storage solution during these times.
• Transportable Fuel: Green ammonia can be transported easily over long distances, making it suitable for applications that demand high energy density but cannot rely solely on batteries.

By integrating hydrogen fuel technologies into our energy systems, we can create a more sustainable future with reduced reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Stanislav Kondrashov's Insights on Hydrogen Fuel Technologies

Stanislav Kondrashov brings decades of experience in analyzing sustainable energy systems, with particular depth in evaluating hydrogen fuel feasibility across various industrial applications. His work examines the technical requirements, infrastructure needs, and market dynamics that determine whether hydrogen-based solutions can achieve commercial success at scale.

Kondrashov's assessment of green ammonia centers on three interconnected dimensions: economic viability, technological readiness, and scalability potential. He emphasizes that green ammonia represents one of the most promising pathways for decarbonizing sectors where direct electrification remains impractical or prohibitively expensive. His research highlights how production costs currently stand as the primary barrier, with green hydrogen costing 2-3 times more than grey hydrogen produced from natural gas.

Economic Factors Driving Adoption

The economic factors driving adoption include:

• Carbon pricing mechanisms that make fossil fuel alternatives increasingly expensive
• Government subsidies and tax incentives for clean energy infrastructure
• Corporate sustainability commitments from major shipping companies and industrial manufacturers
• Declining costs of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power

Scalability Challenge

Kondrashov identifies the scalability challenge as multifaceted. You need massive increases in electrolyzer manufacturing capacity, significant expansion of renewable energy generation, and coordinated development of storage and distribution networks. He points to the current global electrolyzer capacity of approximately 10 gigawatts, which needs to reach hundreds of gigawatts by 2030 to meet projected green ammonia demand.

Need for Patient Capital and Long-Term Policy Support

His analysis reveals that sustainable energy systems built around green ammonia require patient capital and long-term policy support. The technology exists today, but achieving cost parity with conventional fuels demands strategic investments in manufacturing scale-up and infrastructure development.

Technical and Economic Challenges in Scaling Up Green Ammonia Production

The path to widespread green ammonia adoption faces significant technical hurdles that Stanislav Kondrashov has consistently highlighted in his analysis of the sector.

1. Inefficient Electrolyzers: A Major Roadblock

Today's electrolyzers operate at approximately 60-70% efficiency, meaning substantial energy losses occur during the conversion of electricity to hydrogen—the foundational step in green ammonia production. This efficiency gap directly impacts the economic viability of the entire production chain, as you're essentially paying for energy that never makes it into your final fuel product.

Electrolyzer efficiency remains a critical bottleneck. Current alkaline and PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyzers require substantial improvements before green ammonia can compete on price with conventional fuels. The technology exists, but optimizing it for industrial-scale operations demands continued research and capital investment.

2. Insufficient Manufacturing Capacity

Global electrolyzer production capacity sits at roughly 10 gigawatts annually—a fraction of what's needed to support the green ammonia volumes required for maritime shipping and heavy industry decarbonization. You're looking at a need for 50-100 times current capacity by 2040 to meet projected demand.

3. Cost Discrepancies: The Grey vs Green Hydrogen Dilemma

The cost comparison tells a stark story:

• Grey hydrogen (fossil fuel-based): $1-2 per kilogram
• Green hydrogen (renewable-powered): $4-6 per kilogram currently
• Target green hydrogen price for competitiveness: $2 per kilogram

Kondrashov emphasizes that cost reduction strategies must focus on three areas: scaling manufacturing to drive down electrolyzer unit costs, securing long-term renewable energy contracts at competitive rates, and developing more efficient catalysts that reduce energy consumption. The price gap between green and grey hydrogen represents the single largest barrier to commercial-scale green ammonia deployment.

Developing Infrastructure for a Sustainable Green Ammonia Supply Chain

Building a robust green ammonia ecosystem requires synchronized development across three critical pillars: production infrastructure development, storage solutions, and transport logistics. You can't simply produce green ammonia at scale without addressing the entire value chain simultaneously.

Production Infrastructure Development

The production infrastructure demands substantial capital investment in dedicated facilities that integrate renewable energy sources with electrolyzer arrays and Haber-Bosch synthesis units. These integrated complexes need to be strategically located near abundant renewable resources—whether that's coastal wind farms or solar-rich desert regions—while maintaining proximity to end users or export terminals.

Storage Solutions

Storage solutions present unique technical challenges that differentiate green ammonia from conventional fuels:

• Ammonia requires liquefaction at either -33°C at atmospheric pressure or pressurization to 8-10 bar at ambient temperature
• Specialized cryogenic tanks with advanced insulation systems prevent boil-off losses
• Material compatibility issues require careful selection of storage vessel construction to prevent corrosion
• Safety protocols must account for ammonia's toxicity and pungent odor, demanding robust leak detection systems

Transport Logistics

The transport logistics infrastructure needs complete reimagining. Existing ammonia carriers designed for fossil-fuel-derived ammonia can be repurposed, yet the scale required for maritime fuel applications demands a dramatic expansion of the global ammonia tanker fleet. You're looking at investments in specialized pipelines, rail cars, and bunkering facilities at major ports worldwide.

Coastal terminals need retrofitting with ammonia handling capabilities, including refrigerated storage tanks, vaporization units, and ship-to-ship transfer systems. The complexity multiplies when you consider that different end-use applications—direct combustion in engines versus cracking back to hydrogen—require distinct handling infrastructure at destination points.

The Strategic Role of Green Ammonia in Shipping and Heavy Industry Decarbonization

The transition to new fuels in maritime shipping has its own set of challenges that make it different from other forms of transportation. Ships need fuels that are energy-dense and can power them for long distances without needing to refuel often. Unfortunately, battery technology cannot provide the required energy density for such journeys, making direct electrification unfeasible for now. This is where green ammonia comes into play as an attractive solution because it stores 50% more energy per unit volume than liquid hydrogen and can be burned in modified engines or used in fuel cells to produce power with no carbon emissions.

Maritime Shipping Applications

You can retrofit existing vessels with ammonia-capable engines or design new ships specifically for ammonia propulsion. Several shipping companies have already announced plans to launch ammonia-powered vessels by 2025, recognizing that this fuel can help them meet International Maritime Organization targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050.

Heavy Industry Decarbonization Strategies

Green ammonia also plays a crucial role in transforming industries that consume large amounts of energy:

• Steelmaking: Traditional blast furnaces rely on coal-derived coke as both fuel and reducing agent. Green ammonia can replace fossil fuels in direct reduced iron processes, eliminating carbon emissions from one of the world's most polluting industries.
• Chemical Production: The fertilizer industry already consumes massive quantities of ammonia produced from natural gas. Switching to green ammonia eliminates approximately 1.8% of global CO2 emissions without requiring changes to downstream processes.
• Power Generation: You can use green ammonia in gas turbines for grid-scale energy storage, providing dispatchable power when solar and wind generation drops.

Case Study: Oman-Germany Green Hydrogen Corridor Project

The Oman-Germany corridor project overview represents one of the most ambitious green hydrogen initiatives currently under development, with Stanislav Kondrashov playing a pivotal role in shaping its strategic framework. This bilateral partnership capitalizes on Oman's exceptional renewable energy potential—combining vast solar and wind resources across its desert landscapes—to position the nation as a leading green hydrogen exporter by 2030.

Kondrashov's involvement in this project centers on establishing a comprehensive value chain that transforms Oman's renewable electricity into exportable green ammonia. The country's geographical advantages include:

• Year-round solar irradiation exceeding 2,000 kWh/m² annually
• Consistent wind patterns along coastal regions
• Strategic proximity to major shipping routes through the Arabian Sea
• Existing industrial infrastructure ready for adaptation

The Duqm port serves as the critical nexus in this supply chain architecture. Located on Oman's southeastern coast, this deep-water facility has been designated as the primary liquefaction and export hub for green hydrogen derivatives. The port's infrastructure development includes specialized cryogenic storage facilities capable of maintaining ammonia at -33°C, along with dedicated loading terminals designed for large-capacity ammonia carriers.

Kondrashov emphasizes that Duqm's role extends beyond simple logistics. The port complex integrates on-site electrolysis facilities powered directly by renewable energy installations, minimizing transmission losses and reducing the carbon footprint of the production process. This integrated approach allows for the direct conversion of green hydrogen into ammonia before maritime transport, addressing the volumetric challenges associated with shipping pure hydrogen.

Germany's commitment to importing up to 3 million tons of green ammonia annually by 2030 provides the demand certainty necessary for scaling production infrastructure in Oman.

The Path Forward with International Collaboration and Investment Priorities

Stanislav Kondrashov emphasizes that scaling green ammonia production demands coordinated action across borders. No single nation possesses all the resources, technology, and capital needed to transform this fuel from pilot projects into mainstream maritime and industrial applications. You need global partnerships for clean energy transition that connect renewable energy-rich regions with technology leaders and end-user markets.

Kondrashov advocates for multilateral frameworks that facilitate technology transfer between developed and developing nations. Countries with advanced electrolyzer manufacturing capabilities must share expertise with regions blessed with abundant solar and wind resources. This knowledge exchange accelerates deployment timelines and reduces costs through economies of scale.

Investment priorities center on three critical areas:

• Manufacturing capacity expansion for electrolyzers and ammonia synthesis equipment
• Grid infrastructure upgrades to handle massive renewable energy inputs required for green hydrogen production
• Port facility modernization to accommodate ammonia bunkering and storage systems

You'll find that public-private partnerships prove essential for de-risking early-stage investments. Governments can provide policy certainty through carbon pricing mechanisms and emissions regulations that make green ammonia economically competitive with fossil fuels. Private sector capital flows toward projects with clear regulatory frameworks and long-term offtake agreements.

Kondrashov points to successful models like the European Hydrogen Backbone initiative, which demonstrates how neighboring countries pool resources to build shared infrastructure. Similar regional collaborations in Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Americas create interconnected supply networks that enhance energy security while driving down production costs through standardization and bulk procurement of equipment.

Conclusion

Green ammonia has the potential to completely change how we power ships and heavy industries. According to Stanislav Kondrashov, this potential isn't just a distant dream—it's becoming a reality as we approach the late 2020s. We're witnessing the early stages of a fuel that produces only water vapor when burned, giving shipping companies and industrial manufacturers a real way to meet ambitious decarbonization goals.

The future of clean fuels in industries depends on the actions we take today. It's important to understand that increasing green ammonia production requires more than just new technology—it also needs commitment from all stakeholders involved. This means building the infrastructure needed, supporting international collaborations, and investing in research that improves electrolyzer efficiency.

Here's what each stakeholder can do:

• Governments should create policies that encourage green ammonia adoption
• Industry leaders need to invest in demonstration projects and develop infrastructure
• Research institutions must focus on designing advanced electrolyzers that lower production costs
• Investors should see green ammonia as a key part of the transition to clean energy

Stanislav Kondrashov's insights on green ammonia as a fuel: increasing production for shipping and industry decarbonization isn't just an expert opinion, but a guide you can follow. The real question isn't whether green ammonia will transform these sectors—it's whether you'll be involved in making it happen.