A strategic GIS-AHP framework for optimal site selection of solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy systems for green hydrogen production in Saudi Arabia

The current study employs an integrated geospatial and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach to produce suitability maps for the deployment of the Green Hydrogen Production Systems (GHPSs) in Saudi Arabia (KSA). For optimal site selection, three different scenarios for the renewable-powered GHPS deployment are considered: solar, wind, and hybrid solar/wind. Ten different climate, topography, and proximity criteria are utilized. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to allocate weights to the considered criteria. The results indicate that 75.7% of Saudi Arabia's land is suitable for renewable-powered GHPSs, while 24.3% is excluded due to constraints and buffer zones. In this case, the land is classified into Highly, Moderately, and Low Suitable Classes. The findings show that for solar-powered GHPSs, the land is classified as: 2.43% is Highly Suitable, 29.1% is Moderately Suitable, and 44.2% is Low Suitable. For wind-powered GHPSs, land is classified as: 2.36% is Highly Suitable, 24.1% is Moderately Suitable, and 49.3% is Low Suitable. For hybrid solar/wind-powered GHPSs, land is classified as: 1.49% is Highly Suitable, 31.8% is Moderately Suitable, and 42.4% is Low Suitable. Moreover, techno-economic assessment shows that solar-powered GHPSs perform better in the western region, whereas wind-powered systems perform better in the eastern region. The annual hydrogen yield ranges from 18 to 26, 21 to 46, and 23 to 32 ton/yr, and the corresponding LCOH values range from 4.32 to 6, 2.55 to 5.23, and 3.73 to 4.76 $/kg for solar, wind, and hybrid-powered scenarios, respectively. The findings provide valuable insights for GHPS deployment in KSA.