World’s First Floating Ammonia-to-Hydrogen Cracker Unveiled

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions and Höegh Evi have completed the development of the world’s first floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker.

This innovative technology will allow large-scale hydrogen production from transported ammonia directly on floating import terminals.

The project was announced in April 2023, and is part of Norway’s Green Platform programme and aims to offer a practical solution for producing hydrogen at sea.

The floating cracker enables hydrogen to be extracted from ammonia in industrial volumes and sent into the energy grid from offshore terminals.

The system is designed with modular features, making it suitable for integration into both Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) and fully dedicated Floating Hydrogen Terminals.

It offers a send-out capacity of up to 210,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually.

The units can be fitted with ammonia storage tanks ranging from 10,000 cubic metres to as large as 120,000 cubic metres.

Höegh Evi, a leading name in marine energy infrastructure, said that this floating technology could help unlock global supply chains for green hydrogen, ensuring Europe has a reliable source of clean energy within the decade.

Meanwhile, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions added that this development is a significant milestone in tackling challenges related to hydrogen storage and transport, while creating a more adaptable energy infrastructure.

The total cost of the project was partly covered through public funding.

The Norwegian Government, under its Green Platform programme, contributed approximately EUR 5.9 million- covering nearly 50% of the total project budget.

Construction of the ammonia cracker was carried out at the Norwegian Catapult Center in Stord, operated by Sustainable Energy.

Several organisations joined forces to make this project a reality.

Alongside Wärtsilä and Höegh Evi, key partners included the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), the University of South-East Norway, Sustainable Energy and BASF SE.

Innovation Norway, a national trade promotion agency, helped manage the allocation of government funds for the project.

The organisation discussed the need for green energy development and expressed pride in supporting such forward-looking initiatives.

The floating cracker will support Europe’s hydrogen strategy, especially under the EU’s REPower plan.

This strategy includes the target to import 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually by 2030.

As hydrogen grid infrastructure develops across the continent, floating import terminals equipped with ammonia cracking systems could help meet rising demand and supply energy to industries that are difficult to decarbonise.

Hydrogen is gaining attention as a clean fuel alternative, but transporting and storing it has been a challenge due to its low energy density and potential for high vaporisation losses.

Ammonia offers a more efficient alternative as it can be stored in liquid form under moderate conditions and transported over long distances by ship.

Once delivered, the ammonia can be converted back into hydrogen using cracking technology at the destination.

Höegh Evi is currently planning multiple floating hydrogen terminal projects across Europe and aims to begin operations before 2030.

References: wartsila, hoeghevi

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