Maximizing geothermal prospects: Unveiling Paraná Basin’s potential through advanced GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)

Geothermal energy is now clearly an important option for the Brazilian energy grid due to the demand for renewable energy sources. The northern and central regions of the Paraná Basin (Brazil) were identified as prospects for additional research into the region’s geothermal energy potential in this context by prior geothermal studies. A thorough investigation based on geological, geophysical, and thermal data is necessary to identify regions with a high potential for geothermal energy. When used by various authors to execute these tasks, the Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach built on Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) has shown considerable promise. The weights of the following parameters-rock type, fault proximity, heat flow, magnetic anomaly, and gravimetric anomaly-were determined in this study using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach, which was incorporated into the MCDA. Five favorability maps were created using the data pertaining to these criteria after they had been processed, standardized, and classed. From ”very low” to ”very high” levels, there were five classes for each selected parameter. From them, we created a map of the geothermal potential based on the list of criteria and the weights assigned to each. In order to verify the findings, we compared the locations of hot springs and aquifers considered indicators of geothermal activity with those of the places with higher potential. Using only one data source, the results showed that four regions had a high index of geothermal favorability, one of which had been previously identified as promising. As a result, the first map produced in the research area using the MCDA-GIS technique is shown in this paper. The strategy proposes a novel way to direct future research to deepen and thoroughly explore these four promising areas. •Geothermal energy gains prominence in Brazil’s energy matrices.•Northern & central Paraná Basin offer potential for geothermal energy research, based on prior studies.•MCDA-GIS approach with AHP method proves effective in mapping geothermal favorability.•Hot springs & aquifers compared with high-potential areas validate geothermal activity indicators.