Addressing global warming and fossil fuel depletion necessitates the utilization of eco-friendly energy sources like wood biomass. Wakayama Prefecture demonstrates how utilizing wood byproducts for energy production promotes environmental protection and regional industrial revitalization.
Wood biomass offers various advantages, including reduced carbon dioxide emissions, waste reduction, and energy independence. However, challenges such as cost and efficiency issues remain to be addressed.
Sustained efforts to expand the use of wood biomass energy are crucial for securing a sustainable energy source. This includes government support, technological advancements, and regulatory improvements.
Recently, with the rise of global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels, interest in eco-friendly energy sources has been increasing. Among them, biomass energy is gaining attention, with biomass referring to renewable, bio-derived organic matter. In particular, woody biomass, which utilizes wood as fuel, is one of the eco-friendly energy sources that humanity has used for the longest time.
Wakayama Prefecture is actively utilizing woody biomass. They are using wood byproducts generated from sawmills as a heat source, and woody biomass fuel is used for heating in onsen facilities and private residences. Through this, they are reducing the use of fossil fuels and contributing to preventing global warming and building a circular economy society.
The utilization of woody biomass not only helps protect the environment but also revitalizes local industries and forestry. For example, Wakayama Prefecture has installed boilers that use wood powder or wood chips produced from local forests in collaboration with the forestry cooperative. This has enabled the recycling of local wood resources and created job opportunities related to forestry.
The advantages of utilizing woody biomass don't end there. Compared to fossil fuels, it emits less carbon dioxide, contributes to waste reduction and energy independence. Furthermore, as it is a renewable resource, it can be used as a sustainable energy source.
However, there are challenges in utilizing woody biomass energy. Cost and efficiency issues, securing a stable fuel supply, and infrastructure development such as power plant construction are typical examples. To overcome these challenges, multifaceted efforts are required, including government policy support, technological development, and regulatory improvements.
Wakayama Prefecture operates various subsidy programs to promote the spread of woody biomass energy. For instance, there's a program that supports wood transportation costs and loan interest for purchasing funds for woody biomass power generation businesses. Through this, they aim to reduce the burden on businesses and revitalize the woody biomass energy industry.
To solve the problem of climate change caused by global warming, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and expand the use of eco-friendly energy sources. Woody biomass is gaining attention as one of the alternatives, and it's time for the government, local governments, businesses, and citizens to work together to promote its more active utilization and wider adoption.