article · Energy Reports
This research assesses the technical, economic, and environmental potential of producing green hydrogen and green ammonia using solar and wind energy across the Republic of Djibouti. Through geospatial cost mapping, sensitivity assessments, and Monte Carlo simulations, the study determines optimal production sites and evaluates the financial feasibility of exporting green ammonia to neighbouring countries. The analysis identifies Moulouhlé as a key strategic location due to its strong renewable resources. Across evaluated metrics, wind energy proves to be more cost-effective than solar energy for both electricity and fuel production. Producing green hydrogen via wind costs 2.25 dollars per kilogram compared to 4.17 dollars using solar power, while wind-driven green ammonia costs 399.76 dollars per tonne versus 537.11 dollars from solar. In export logistics, transport by rail demonstrates greater economic viability than trucking, with wind systems offering potential annual carbon dioxide reductions of 154.94 megatonnes.
Replacing fossil fuels with renewable hydrogen and ammonia is central to global decarbonisation and regional agricultural security. By pinpointing the most viable locations and transport methods in Djibouti, this analysis shows how local wind and solar resources can yield affordable low-carbon fuels and chemical fertilisers, enabling significant carbon dioxide reductions while informing clean energy policies and infrastructure planning in East Africa.
This work is an early-stage techno-economic and geospatial assessment that can guide energy developers, infrastructure investors, and regional fertiliser suppliers. It identifies concrete cost baselines and strategic locations for deploying large-scale wind and solar facilities, green ammonia synthesis plants, and cross-border rail logistics. While offering operational insights on operating temperatures and current densities, the research represents computational feasibility modelling rather than tested industrial deployments.
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This study conducts a thorough economic and technical analysis to assess the viability of green hydrogen and green ammonia production using renewable energy sources in the Republic of Djibouti. We explore the economic competitiveness of utilizing wind and solar power for sustainable energy production through various measures including levelized cost of energy (LCOE), hydrogen (LCOH), and ammonia (LCOA). Our analysis incorporates sensitivity assessments and Monte Carlo simulations to predict financial feasibility and environmental impact, focusing on CO 2 emission reductions. A cost mapping of electricity, green hydrogen, and green ammonia from solar and wind resources was created to find Djibouti's most cost-effective production sites. The feasibility of exporting green ammonia to neighboring countries with high fertilizer demand was also evaluated using rail and truck transport scenarios. Key findings demonstrate that Moulouhlé, endowed with robust wind and solar resources, presents a strategic site for deploying renewable energy technologies. Wind energy, with a lower LCOE of 0.066 $/kWh compared to solar's 0.093 $/kWh, emerges as a more cost-effective solution for both hydrogen and ammonia production. Notably, wind-powered hydrogen production costs are 2.25 $/kgH 2 , significantly lower than solar-powered costs at 4.17 $/kgH 2 . In terms of green ammonia, wind power achieves production costs of 399.76 $/tonNH 3 , outperforming solar power which stands at 537.11 $/tonNH 3 . Additionally, our study evaluates the logistics of exporting green ammonia, determining rail transport as a more economically viable option than trucking. This research not only underscores Djibouti's potential as a leader in green energy exportation but also aligns with global decarbonization efforts, showcasing significant CO 2 savings—154.94 Mt annually from wind. This work emphasizes the importance of strategic resource utilization in Djibouti, offering insights critical for stakeholders in making informed decisions about investing in renewable energy infrastructures. The outcomes suggest a promising future for regional energy sustainability and economic resilience, fostering a transition towards low-carbon energy systems. • Green hydrogen and ammonia production using wind and solar energies were analyzed. • Geospatial cost modeling identified the cheapest green hydrogen production locations in the north-east and central highlands areas. • Wind power provided the lowest cost of green ammonia production at 399.76 $/tonNH 3 . • Green ammonia production cost decreases drastically with the increase of the current density and the operating temperatures. • Green ammonia transportation via railway was found to be economically more attractive than truck transport scenario.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2024.09.037
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