Selection of a Green Hydrogen Production Facility Location with a Novel Heuristic Approach

The production of green hydrogen, the cleanest energy source, plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of renewable energy systems by utilizing surplus energy that would otherwise be wasted. With the global shift towards sustainability and the rising adoption of renewable energy sources, green hydrogen is gaining significant importance as both an energy carrier and a storage solution. However, determining the optimal locations for green hydrogen production facilities remains a complex challenge due to the interplay of technical, economic, logistical, and environmental factors. This study introduces the City Location Evaluation Optimization for Green Hydrogen (CELO_GH) algorithm, a novel heuristic approach designed to address this challenge. Unlike conventional multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models, CELO_GH dynamically evaluates cities by considering renewable energy surplus, proximity to industrial hydrogen demand, port and pipeline accessibility, and economic viability. A case study conducted in Turkey demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach by identifying optimal cities for green hydrogen production based on real-world energy and infrastructure data. The problem was also solved with the genetic algorithm and the results were compared and it was seen that the proposed heuristic provides the lowest cost location selection. A geographically flexible methodology, as the proposed algorithm can be applied globally to regions with high renewable energy potential, ensuring scalability and adaptability for future energy transition strategies. The results provide valuable insights for policy-makers, energy investors, and industrial planners aiming to optimize green hydrogen infrastructure while ensuring cost efficiency and sustainability.