Beyond the technology: Public perception of ammonia energy technologies

Ammonia is gaining popularity around the world due to its advantages as an energy vector over other zero-carbon fuels. However, little is known about public attitudes and concerns about the technology, one of the factors that will determine its successful implementation. This research provides the first empirical ‘public perception’ study about ammonia as an energy vector and for energy storage in the context of climate change. Through a mixed-method approach (using both qualitative and quantitative methods) this research examined the differences between experts’ and laypeople’s perceptions of green ammonia technologies in two different contexts (Mexico and UK). The results are discussed in relation to the literature examining several factors involved in this process. Positive responses towards the technology were found, nevertheless these are highly dependent on several factors, such as framing, the perception of risks and benefits, trust, context among others. This research provides insights into ammonia public perceptions with implications for future risk communication about its use. It concludes by highlighting the importance of involving the public at early stages of the development of the technology. Mainly, with upstream technologies, like ammonia, where its effectiveness, cost and risks are uncertain, public perception studies will point out ethical and value issues people consider important. The next step of innovation is not only to consider technical aspects but to recognise the importance of a joint effort between key players and formulate an ethics of care for the future, where a comprehensive vision is in line with ethical reasoning, taking into account both public and stakeholders

Public attitudes and concerns about ammonia as an energy vector

Ammonia is gaining popularity around the world due to its advantages as an energy vector over other zero-carbon fuels and has the potential to be a key component for deep decarbonisation of energy systems. However, little is known about public attitudes and concerns about the technology, one of the factors that will determine its successful implementation. This research examined public perception of green ammonia technologies through online surveys conducted in Mexico (n = 563) and the UK (n = 357). The results suggest that most of the participants in the two countries support the development of these technologies, with men being more likely to show support than women. Participants in Mexico and the UK had both negative and neutral associations of ammonia as a chemical, but overall perceptions of green ammonia were surprisingly positive. A multiple regression analysis indicates that support for this technology is highly dependent on the way participants perceive the benefits and the risks of implementing green ammonia as a fuel or for storage in their countries. Perceptions of green ammonia presented in this study must be interpreted cautiously because of the novelty of the concept. Therefore, additional research should be carried out to determine the positive opinion of green ammonia obtained in the research

2023 Roadmap on ammonia as a carbon-free fuel

The 15 short chapters that form this 2023 ammonia-for-energy roadmap provide a comprehensive assessment of the current worldwide ammonia landscape and the future opportunities and associated challenges facing the use of ammonia, not only in the part that it can play in terms of the future displacement of fossil-fuel reserves towards massive, long-term, carbon-free energy storage and heat and power provision, but also in its broader holistic impacts that touch all three components of the future global food-water-energy nexus

2023 roadmap on ammonia as a carbon-free fuel

Funder: Science and Technology Facilities Council; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000271Funder: UK Engineering and Physical Science Research CouncilAbstract The 15 short chapters that form this 2023 ammonia-for-energy roadmap provide a comprehensive assessment of the current worldwide ammonia landscape and the future opportunities and associated challenges facing the use of ammonia, not only in the part that it can play in terms of the future displacement of fossil-fuel reserves towards massive, long-term, carbon-free energy storage and heat and power provision, but also in its broader holistic impacts that touch all three components of the future global food-water-energy nexus.</jats:p