Harnessing wind for hydrogen: comparative MCDM-GIS assessment of optimal plant locations

Abstract This research aimed to perform an in-depth comparative analysis of MCDM methods, utilizing ArcGIS Pro 3.0.2, to identify the most suitable sites for wind-powered hydrogen production plants in Erbil Governorate, Iraq. VIKOR, TOPSIS, SAW, and Weighted Overlay techniques were implemented and applied to evaluate various criteria. A comparative analysis determined that VIKOR had the highest consistency and robustness, making it the most suitable approach for selecting a site for wind-powered hydrogen facilities. Spatial analysis showed that the southern and southwestern regions of Erbil Governorate were the most favourable areas for hydrogen generation. Wind turbine technical feasibility assessments identified the E112/4500 and V126e3.45 turbine models as the most efficient for these regions, with high annual hydrogen production. The spatial configuration, including the optimal turbine spacing, had a significant effect on the capacity and production potential. ArcPro integration with MCDM significantly enhanced spatial analysis, providing high-resolution data processing and advanced visualization capabilities.