Biomass Town Concept - April 2003

Biomass Town Concept - April 2003

The Biomass Town concept is an initiative aimed at building a sustainable society by utilizing regional biomass resources, which has been promoted across Japan since the 2000s. This concept seeks to create a circular society within regions by utilizing various biomass resources such as woody biomass, livestock manure, food waste, and crop residues as energy and fertilizer.

For example, in Taiki Town, Hokkaido, an initiative is being carried out to produce biogas from livestock manure through methane fermentation, using this energy for the local electricity supply. Additionally, the residue left after fermentation is returned to agricultural land as compost, ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. This project processes approximately 10,000 tons of livestock manure annually and generates biogas that supplies electricity to 1,000 households.

Furthermore, in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, biomass power generation using woody biomass is being carried out, utilizing waste materials from local sawmills. This power plant uses approximately 50,000 tons of woody biomass annually as fuel, supplying electricity to about 5,000 households. This project has also resulted in the creation of local jobs and the effective use of waste materials from sawmills.

Such Biomass Town initiatives are being promoted through collaboration between local governments and regional companies, contributing to energy self-sufficiency and revitalization of the regional economy. In the 2020s, more municipalities are participating in the Biomass Town concept, and biomass utilization tailored to regional characteristics is advancing.