Avaliação da viabilidade de fontes de água para produção de hidrogênio verde no Ceará: aplicação da metodologia de valor sustentável ao complexo industrial e portuário do Pecém

Abstract

The expansion of green hydrogen production via electrolysis in the semi-arid Northeast of Brazil faces challenges related to water scarcity and the need for sustainable sources that reconcile technical, economic, and environmental viability. The availability of adequate water is a determining factor for the development of this emerging energy chain, especially in regions with structural water limitations such as the state of Ceará. This study aims to evaluate the viability of different water sources for feeding electrolyzers in Ceará using the Sustainable Value methodology. To this end, a case study was conducted at the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex, analyzing four alternatives: wastewater treatment plants in Fortaleza and Caucaia, seawater desalination, and an existing industrial reuse system. Nine qualitative sustainability criteria were employed, combined with a detailed breakdown of capital and operational costs. The Sustainable Value Indicator integrated qualitative and economic performance, being tested through sensitivity analysis with twenty percent variations in costs. The industrial reuse system presented a superior indicator (7.34 points/R$/m³), combining the highest qualitative score with the lowest total cost. The Caucaia station ranked second, while marine desalination registered the highest cost. Treatment and transportation costs dominated the economic structure, together representing seventy percent of total expenditures. It is concluded that industrial reuse constitutes the most viable alternative for the initial production of green hydrogen in Ceará. Municipal effluents represent a strategic complement for future scaling up.