A GIS-Based Investment Model for Regional $\mathrm{H}_{2}$ Generation Potential Assessment with an Exemplary Application

Electricity-based green hydrogen is considered a potential key element in the defossilization of global energy systems. As a secondary energy carrier it is intended to be used as a fuel in energy sectors where direct electrification is not feasible, as well as for electricity generation to complement volatile renewable energies. Although the demand is significant and the potential applications are diverse, both availability and cost are subject to considerable uncertainty. In particular, the availability of renewable energy, which in turn depends on site conditions, land availability and the availability of water, are important for the viable operation of electrolyzers and thus for the estimation of local H2 production capacities. This study presents an approach that allows for the calculation of cost potential curves on a global scale with high spatial resolution with the exemplary application to Iberian Peninsula (IPN). The proposed investment model includes a GIS analysis of renewable energy land availability at $1^{\circ} \times 1^{\circ}$ grid resolution and capacity factor time series generated using Renewables.ninja. Finally, the model determines the optimal contribution of different volatile, renewable energy technologies, taking country-specific WACC estimates into account.