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Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613856295026688 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Moyo, Clive Tinashe |
| author2 | Naidoo, Paramespri |
| author_browse | Moyo, Clive Tinashe Naidoo, Paramespri |
| author_facet | Naidoo, Paramespri Moyo, Clive Tinashe |
| author_sort | Moyo, Clive Tinashe |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134721 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:42:46.825Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/134721 Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production Moyo, Clive Tinashe Naidoo, Paramespri Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Chemical Engineering. Ammonia -- Economic aspects Greenhouse gas mitigation Renewable energy sources Electrolytic hydrogen Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Moyo, C. T. 2025. Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/4661357b-2f35-4f74-b528-fc6fb52b62b4 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The transition towards sustainable ammonia production is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero targets. Conventional ammonia production, which is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, is a major source of carbon emissions. Green ammonia, produced through renewable energy and electrolytic hydrogen, provides a viable pathway to decarbonize sectors such as agriculture and chemicals. This study assesses the economic viability of green ammonia production by examining the cost dynamics of integrating variable renewable energy sources (solar photovoltaic and wind onshore systems) into large-scale ammonia plants. A comparative analysis of two established levelized cost of ammonia tools was conducted, followed by the development of an enhanced model that incorporates additional system components such as battery energy storage systems and nitrogen storage. The methodology evaluates capital and operational expenditures alongside efficiency parameters, while also accounting for future cost reductions through technological learning effects. Findings indicate that solar PV-based ammonia production remains more expensive than wind systems due to lower capacity factors. Electrolysis and renewable energy supply were identified as the dominant cost drivers, contributing above 75% towards total costs. By 2050, the lowest projected levelized cost of hydrogen is around 1.67 $/kgH2 under high deployment of alkaline water electrolysers, while the most competitive ammonia production scenarios achieve LCOA values of approximately 439 $/tonNH3. These results demonstrate that while green ammonia can achieve significant cost reductions, its competitiveness depends on both technology deployment and policy support, including carbon taxation on grey ammonia. The study provides insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers, supporting informed investment decisions and the design of effective policy frameworks to accelerate the adoption of sustainable ammonia production AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2026-01-05T09:50:43Z 2026-01-05T09:50:43Z 2025-12 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134721 Stellenbosch University xi, 107 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Ammonia -- Economic aspects Greenhouse gas mitigation Renewable energy sources Electrolytic hydrogen Moyo, Clive Tinashe Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production |
| title | Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production |
| title_full | Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production |
| title_fullStr | Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production |
| title_short | Developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial-scale green ammonia production |
| title_sort | developing a levelized cost estimation tool for industrial scale green ammonia production |
| topic | Ammonia -- Economic aspects Greenhouse gas mitigation Renewable energy sources Electrolytic hydrogen |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/134721 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT moyoclivetinashe developingalevelizedcostestimationtoolforindustrialscalegreenammoniaproduction |