From electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDR
Laos, the world’s second-largest net electricity exporter, faces dual challenges in its energy and agricultural sectors. While the country exports significant hydroelectric power to neighbouring nations, it remains dependent on electricity imports during dry seasons at unfavourable prices. Concurren...
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Environmental Research Communications |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/adfc2f |
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| author | Vignesh Sridharan John Ward Sounthisack Phommachanh Khamphone Nanthavong Lukas Schirren Pietro Lubello Adam Hawkes |
| author_facet | Vignesh Sridharan John Ward Sounthisack Phommachanh Khamphone Nanthavong Lukas Schirren Pietro Lubello Adam Hawkes |
| author_sort | Vignesh Sridharan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Laos, the world’s second-largest net electricity exporter, faces dual challenges in its energy and agricultural sectors. While the country exports significant hydroelectric power to neighbouring nations, it remains dependent on electricity imports during dry seasons at unfavourable prices. Concurrently, Laos imports all its chemical nitrogenous fertilisers, exposing its agricultural sector to global price volatility. This study explores the potential of redirecting surplus electricity towards green ammonia production to address both issues. Using an open-source capacity expansion model of the Lao power sector, we analyse scenarios considering different power expansion plans and climate-induced variations in hydropower generation. Our results indicate that Laos could produce ∼1 Mt of green ammonia annually by 2030, potentially reaching ∼2 Mt by 2050. This production could satisfy domestic fertiliser demand and create export opportunities. Climate variability could significantly impact production potential, with dry conditions reducing production by 26% and wet conditions increasing it by 50% relative to the base scenario. Additional scenarios incorporating non-hydro renewable energy sources like solar PV and Wind and the transfer of power capacity into the control of the Lao government, post the termination of concessionary agreements, show potential for doubled production. The study emphasises the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure planning and regulatory frameworks for successful implementation. This research contributes to Laos’ ongoing efforts to develop its first national green hydrogen and ammonia roadmap, positioning it as a pioneer among Least Developed Countries in fossil-free hydrogen and ammonia production. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bb42d8d330da4a708328b7e6e29d9a20 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2515-7620 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Research Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-bb42d8d330da4a708328b7e6e29d9a202025-08-26T07:14:15ZengIOP PublishingEnvironmental Research Communications2515-76202025-01-017808101110.1088/2515-7620/adfc2fFrom electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDRVignesh Sridharan0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0764-2615John Ward1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0402-1541Sounthisack Phommachanh2Khamphone Nanthavong3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1423-6332Lukas Schirren4https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4317-5680Pietro Lubello5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8869-9586Adam Hawkes6Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London , London, United KingdomMekong Region Futures Institute , ThailandFaculty of Engineering, National University of Laos (NUOL) , Vientiane, LaosFaculty of Engineering, National University of Laos (NUOL) , Vientiane, LaosDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London , London, United KingdomUCL Energy Institute, University College London , London, United KingdomDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London , London, United KingdomLaos, the world’s second-largest net electricity exporter, faces dual challenges in its energy and agricultural sectors. While the country exports significant hydroelectric power to neighbouring nations, it remains dependent on electricity imports during dry seasons at unfavourable prices. Concurrently, Laos imports all its chemical nitrogenous fertilisers, exposing its agricultural sector to global price volatility. This study explores the potential of redirecting surplus electricity towards green ammonia production to address both issues. Using an open-source capacity expansion model of the Lao power sector, we analyse scenarios considering different power expansion plans and climate-induced variations in hydropower generation. Our results indicate that Laos could produce ∼1 Mt of green ammonia annually by 2030, potentially reaching ∼2 Mt by 2050. This production could satisfy domestic fertiliser demand and create export opportunities. Climate variability could significantly impact production potential, with dry conditions reducing production by 26% and wet conditions increasing it by 50% relative to the base scenario. Additional scenarios incorporating non-hydro renewable energy sources like solar PV and Wind and the transfer of power capacity into the control of the Lao government, post the termination of concessionary agreements, show potential for doubled production. The study emphasises the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure planning and regulatory frameworks for successful implementation. This research contributes to Laos’ ongoing efforts to develop its first national green hydrogen and ammonia roadmap, positioning it as a pioneer among Least Developed Countries in fossil-free hydrogen and ammonia production.https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/adfc2felectricity exportshydropowergreen ammoniaclimate changeenergy systems modelling |
| spellingShingle | Vignesh Sridharan John Ward Sounthisack Phommachanh Khamphone Nanthavong Lukas Schirren Pietro Lubello Adam Hawkes From electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDR Environmental Research Communications electricity exports hydropower green ammonia climate change energy systems modelling |
| title | From electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDR |
| title_full | From electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDR |
| title_fullStr | From electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDR |
| title_full_unstemmed | From electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDR |
| title_short | From electrons to molecules: evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in Lao PDR |
| title_sort | from electrons to molecules evaluating green ammonia production as an alternative to electricity exports in lao pdr |
| topic | electricity exports hydropower green ammonia climate change energy systems modelling |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/adfc2f |
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