A recent study in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy highlights Ceará, a state in Brazil, for its promising conditions for green hydrogen production.
Leveraging its abundant solar and wind potential, along with comprehensive multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, the analysis seeks to pinpoint optimal sites for green hydrogen infrastructure.
The economic prospects of green hydrogen production are naturally tied to geography. Locations that offer a convergence of solar and wind resources, coupled with water access and export opportunities, stand to gain the most. The study employs four MCDM methods—additive ratio assessment (ARAS), simple additive weighting (SAW), combinative distance-based assessment (CODAS), and the technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS)—in conjunction with an ensemble ranking approach to distill insights across a spectrum of productive criteria. By weighing variables such as renewable energy potential, water availability, and existing infrastructure, the study provides a comprehensive assessment for Ceará.
Statistical evidence within the study underscores the feasibility and necessity of targeted site assessments for enhancing green hydrogen yield. The locations assessed—Tauá, Araripe, and Beberibe—exhibit potential outputs of 638 kton/year, 471 kton/year, and 462 kton/year respectively. These numbers are not arbitrary; they emerge from a meticulous evaluation using the best-worst method (BWM) to determine the relative importance of each criterion, which then informs the ensemble ranking. The consistent thread of analytical rigor positions Araripe as a leading contender, thanks to its advantageous alignment of renewable resources and infrastructure.
While many regions embark on energy projects without integrated planning considerations, this study presents an alternative approach—meticulous site suitability analysis driven by comprehensive data fusion. The acknowledgment of competing criteria and the strategic emphasis on ensemble ranking introduce an innovative angle to site selection. This strategy challenges the conventional wisdom that often isolates single criteria, such as resource cost or proximity to market, as the sole determinants of project success.
In anchoring its analysis in both quantitative data and qualitative assessments, the research effectively marries technical precision with practical application. The municipalities’ scores are not solely a function of energy metrics but also include socio-economic factors like local GDP and population. Such a holistic perspective ensures that the development of green hydrogen facilities is not an isolated economic endeavor but one embedded within the local context and its broader potential for win-win economic outcomes.
