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Chile, abundant in solar and wind energy resources, presents significant potential for the production of green hydrogen, a promising renewable energy vector. However, realizing this potential requires an understanding of the most suitable locations for the installation of green hydrogen industries. This study proposes a quantitative methodology that identifies and ranks potential public lands for industrial use, based on a range of technical parameters (such as solar and wind availability) and socio-environmental considerations (including land use restrictions and population density). The results reveal optimal locations that can facilitate informed, sustainable decision-making for large-scale green hydrogen implementation in Chile. While this methodology does not replace project-specific technical or environmental impact studies, it provides a flexible, general classification to guide initial site selection. Notably, this approach can be applied to other regions worldwide with abundant solar and wind resources, such as Australia and Northern Africa, promoting more effective and sustainable global decision-making for green hydrogen production. • Innovative spatial area scoring methodology for green hydrogen industrial site selection. • Novel quantitative approach for multi-criteria decision-making for Chile. • Integrating socio-environmental considerations, and technical factors in GH2 site prioritization. • Quantitative Scoring Framework for Identifying Optimal Green Hydrogen Deployment Sites. • Solar scenario shows 100 % of the GH2 industrial sites with scoring above 9.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the feasibility of integrating a green hydrogen value chain into the local industry, examining two case studies by comparing four scenarios. The optimization focused on generating electricity from stationary renewable sources, such as solar or through Power Purchase Agreements, to produce sufficient hydrogen in electrolyzers. Current demand profiles, renewable participation targets, electricity supply sources, levelized costs of energy and hydrogen, and technology options were considered. The most cost-effective scenario showed a levelized cost of energy of 0.032 and 0.05 US$/kWh and a hydrogen cost below 1.0 US$/kg H2 for cases 1 and 2, respectively. A sensitivity analysis highlighted the critical influence of fuel cell technology on cost modification, underscoring the importance of focusing cost reduction strategies on these technologies to enhance the economic viability of the green hydrogen value chain. Specifically, a high sensitivity towards reducing the levelized costs of energy and hydrogen in the port sector with adjustments in fuel cell technology costs was identified, indicating the need for specific policies and supports to facilitate their adoption. • Two case studies estimate PV or wind power sizes to generate green hydrogen. • Optimization of the case studies relies on Calliope free and open-source tools. • The green hydrogen value chain size estimation is performed for four scenarios in Chile. • LCOH lower than 1.0 USD/kg H2 are obtained. • Green hydrogen technologies serve to cover the real profile demand considerably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]