Coal-Fired Power Plants Can Achieve Low-Carbon Transition through Green Ammonia Co-Firing

Strategic Insights -

A study from Tsinghua University has revealed that coal-fired power plants can transition to a low-carbon model through the use of green ammonia co-firing. According to the research, this approach can realize low carbon emissions while consuming excess renewable energy. The study, which has been peer-reviewed, provides a techno-economic analysis of a coal-ammonia co-firing system for hydrogen production and green ammonia synthesis using wind and photovoltaic power. The results show that the optimal combination and capacity of system components vary depending on the decision-maker's preference, and the optimal cost for a 20% carbon reduction ratio is $0.124/kWh for a conventionally sized power plant.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study demonstrates that coal-fired power plants can achieve a low-carbon transition through the use of green ammonia co-firing, which can realize low carbon emissions while consuming excess renewable energy.
  • The techno-economic analysis of the coal-ammonia co-firing system shows that the optimal combination and capacity of system components vary depending on the decision-maker's preference.
  • The optimal cost for a 20% carbon reduction ratio is $0.124/kWh for a conventionally sized power plant.
  • The study highlights the importance of increasing the ratio of energy storage to renewable energy capacity to achieve inter-seasonal power peak transfer.
  • The research suggests that increased carbon reduction ratio can improve the green electricity supplied to the grid, but also increases energy waste.
  • The study provides a pathway for coal-fired power plants to achieve a low-carbon transition through co-firing, which can be informative for policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Statistics:

  • The optimal cost for a 20% carbon reduction ratio is $0.124/kWh for a conventionally sized power plant.
  • The study found that increasing the ratio of energy storage to renewable energy capacity can achieve inter-seasonal power peak transfer.
  • The research suggests that increased carbon reduction ratio can improve the green electricity supplied to the grid by 20%.
  • The study provides a techno-economic analysis of a coal-ammonia co-firing system, which has been peer-reviewed.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from Tsinghua University Reveal New Findings on Renewable Energy (Techno-economic Analysis of Coal-fired With Green Ammonia Co-firing Power System Devoted To Lower Carbon Emission). Global Warming Focus. October 20, 2025; p 910.
  • Techno-economic Analysis of Coal-fired With Green Ammonia Co-firing Power System Devoted To Lower Carbon Emission. Energy, 2025;334.