Multi-Criteria Decision Support for Siting Onshore Renewable Hydrogen Hubs Powered by Offshore Wind Using GIS, Fuzzy Logic, and Fuzzy-AHP
The increasing global demand for decarbonization has intensified efforts to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind power. In this context, the production of green hydrogen in onshore hubs emerges as a strategic solution to enhance the technical, economic, and environmental sustainability of energy systems. However, identifying viable sites for implementing such hubs involves complex decision-making processes, given the multiple stakeholders involved and the uncertainty associated with spatial, technical, financial, and environmental criteria. This thesis presents the development of integrated frameworks based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), fuzzy logic, and the Fuzzy-AHP multi-criteria decision-making method to support the identification of promising locations for offshore wind complexes with onshore green hydrogen production. The proposed frameworks enable the evaluation of trade-offs among conflicting factors, offering a structured and transparent approach to guide planners, investors, and policymakers. Applied to the Brazilian coastline, the methodology identifies the northeastern region as the most favorable for hub implementation, followed by the southeast, highlighting areas with high resource availability, infrastructure readiness, and economic viability. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed frameworks to support informed decision-making and contribute to the sustainable expansion of offshore renewable energy integrated with green hydrogen production.