Discussion on regional revitalization using woody biomass resources as renewable energy

Abstract

Expanding the use of renewable energy is a matter of concern in many countries. Many Japanese local municipalities are attempting to promote business creation using renewable energy as an opportunity for regional revitalization based on the policy of the Japanese government. Renewable energy makes significant contributions to the region in terms of energy security, stable energy supply, and job creation. However, the most important contribution is enhancing residents' attachment to their community and supporting actions that appeal to the community through renewable energy utilization. Residents should actively participate in regional revitalization, which leads to sustainable prosperity of the region. However, the current measures of local municipalities seem to be lacking such a viewpoint. This study aims to analyse the environmental and economic aspects as well as the social acceptance of establishing a bathing business that utilizes woody biomass as its heat source. This study also discussed how the generation of heat from woody biomass contributes to regional revitalization. The case study area was Kobe and Mt. Rokko, Japan. First, heat production and utilization was assumed for the forest resources in Mt. Rokko, and the annual biomass energy production potential was estimated. The annual costs of lumber cutting, transportation, and chipping, and the annual CO 2 reduction by substituting bunker A with woody biomass for heat production were also estimated. A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine community awareness of energy production using woody biomass from Mt. Rokko. Principal component analysis, contingent valuation method, and path analysis were used to quantify respondents' awareness.

Research Trends and Future Direction for Utilization of Woody Biomass in Japan

“…Furthermore, the majority of respondents expressed reservations about the drawbacks associated with heating equipment fueled by woody biomass, such as its complex operation and high costs [53]. In contrast, public willingness for indirect utilization was remarkably high, especially in public facilities such as hot springs and welfare facilities [55,56]. Additionally, the unique capabilities of woody biomass heating equipment [46,49] and awareness of forests, the environment, and local regions [55,56] are the primary reasons why the public is willing to utilize woody biomass.…”

“…In contrast, public willingness for indirect utilization was remarkably high, especially in public facilities such as hot springs and welfare facilities [55,56]. Additionally, the unique capabilities of woody biomass heating equipment [46,49] and awareness of forests, the environment, and local regions [55,56] are the primary reasons why the public is willing to utilize woody biomass.…”

High temperature increased lignin contents of poplar (Populus spp) stem via inducing the synthesis caffeate and coniferaldehyde

“…Forest resources not only have great application value for vegetation restoration, soil erosion prevention and saline-alkali land restoration, but also can be used for the development of biomass and fiber energy (Nakahara et al, 2019). Lignin plays a vital role in cell wall formation, especially in wood and bark, and it permits the xylem to maintain a certain amount of water transport, mechanical support, growth and development for plants (Zhao and Dixon, 2011).…”

Composition-Preserving Extraction and Characterization of Biomass Extrinsic and Intrinsic Inorganic Compounds

“…Biomass is broadly classified into five categories: agricultural, forest, municipal, energy crops, and biological biomass . Although a variety of biomass can be easily obtained and used, the low mass and energy density of the biomass are big challenges in the large-scale production of biofuels, because the economic cost of harvesting, handling, transporting, storing, and pretreating biomass is approximately 50% of the feedstock cost. − As the density of the material decreases, the total cost increases.…”