Site suitability analysis for green hydrogen production using multi-criteria decision-making methods: A case study in the state of Ceará, Brazil

Brazil is leveraging its extensive potential in solar, wind, and hydro energy to establish itself on the global map of green hydrogen production—a pivotal component in the ongoing energy transition. The economic viability of green hydrogen hinges on optimal locations with abundant renewable resources, space for solar or wind farms, access to water, and the potential for exporting to major demand centers. In this context, this study evaluates the potential for green hydrogen production in the State of Ceará, Brazil, using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, which are designed to prioritize conflicting tangible and intangible criteria to determine the best decision alternatives. The additive ratio assessment (ARAS), simple additive weighting (SAW), combinative distance-based assessment (CODAS), and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) methods are evaluated for decision-making purposes, with weighting and aggregation relying on the best-worst method (BWM) and ensemble ranking. Criteria considered in the analysis include suitable areas for wind and solar farms, wind and solar energy potentials, water availability, surface temperature, electrical infrastructure, population, and local gross domestic product (GDP). The municipalities with the highest potential for renewable hydrogen production identified are Tauá (638 kton/year), Araripe (471 kton/year), and Beberibe (462 kton/year). According to the results, Araripe emerges as the most suitable municipality for green hydrogen production in Ceará.