Hydrogen use for energy efficiency in industrial furnaces: Multi-criteria decision-making and Bayesian network-supported technology roadmap scenarios

The Paris Agreement promotes international cooperation to limit global warming and combat climate change. In this context, renewable energy sources and alternative energy solutions, such as hydrogen, play a crucial role. Hydrogen stands out as an effective option for transitioning to a low-carbon economy and contributes to environmental sustainability. This study aims to provide a new perspective to the literature by focusing on the use of hydrogen in high-energy-consuming industrial furnaces. To evaluate the use of hydrogen in industrial furnaces, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods were applied. Through AHP analysis, hydrogen's priority was determined based on environmental and economic criteria, and these results were used as input data for the TOPSIS method. Using the TOPSIS method, the environmental and economic performance of hydrogen was compared to alternative energy sources, and hydrogen was identified as a superior option. The Technology Roadmap (TYH) method was employed to plan the technological development processes of hydrogen, and a strategic roadmap for its integration into industrial processes was created. Additionally, Technology and Strategy (T&S) plans were developed to propose concrete solutions for technical and strategic barriers encountered during hydrogen's production, distribution, and application processes. The Bayesian network model further analyzed the environmental and economic impacts of hydrogen technologies under different scenarios, assessing the potential effects of uncertainties. The findings indicate that using hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels in industrial furnaces for glass production could reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, and mitigate environmental impacts. Moreover, this comprehensive analysis, aimed at the long-term integration of hydrogen technologies, provides concrete strategies that support sustainable energy systems and offer economic benefits.