A City Thriving on the Green Cycle - Hita City's Challenge 2011 - The Dawn of Innovation In Hita City, Oita Prefecture, an initiative to generate biomass power using sewage sludge began. This facility, which utilizes methane gas generated during the sludge treatment process, began operations in April 2012. It has an annual power generation capacity of approximately 810,000 kilowatt hours and is planned to cover 27% of the facility's power consumption. Furthermore, the waste heat from power generation is used to heat the sludge digestion tanks, realizing the effective use of resources.

A City Thriving on the Green Cycle - Hita City's Challenge 2011 - The Dawn of Innovation In Hita City, Oita Prefecture, an initiative to generate biomass power using sewage sludge began. This facility, which utilizes methane gas generated during the sludge treatment process, began operations in April 2012. It has an annual power generation capacity of approximately 810,000 kilowatt hours and is planned to cover 27% of the facility's power consumption. Furthermore, the waste heat from power generation is used to heat the sludge digestion tanks, realizing the effective use of resources.

2013 - Lighting the Future with the Power of Trees In November 2013, a wood biomass power plant operated by Green Power Oita Co., Ltd. was established in Hita City. It aims to revitalize the forestry industry and strengthen the local economic base by using approximately 70,000 tons of unused wood obtained from local forests annually as fuel. This project was a major step toward supporting a sustainable forestry economy.

2020s - Expanding the Cycle In the 2020s, the Biomass Resource Center was expanded, and power generation using methane gas obtained from food waste and pig manure progressed. All of the electricity generated was sold, supporting the region's energy independence. Furthermore, the promotion of high-priced timber purchases contributed to the promotion of forestry and increased regional income.

Future Direction - Promotion Plan The "Hita City Biomass Utilization Promotion Plan," spanning 10 years from fiscal year 2022, was formulated. This plan envisions a sustainable future that enhances residents' quality of life, centered on the circular use of local resources and reducing environmental impact.

Conclusion Hita City's challenge to harmonize with nature and harness local strengths demonstrates one form of a sustainable society and serves as a model for the nation. Source - Asahi Shimbun "Energy from Sewage Sludge: Biomass Power Generation in Hita": [Article Link](https://www.asahi.com/eco/news/SEB201201060058.html)
- Kyushu Techno Net "Toward a Regional Circular Society": [Article Link](https://www.kt-j.jp/mokuji/R711.HTM)
- Hita City Official Website "Biomass Resource Center": [Article Link](https://www.city.hita.oita.jp/soshiki/shiminkankyobu/kankyoka/shigenkacenter/kankyoshisetsu/2582.html)
- Ministry of the Environment Document "Promoting a Regional Resource-Recycling Economy": [Document Link](https://policies.env.go.jp/policy/roadmap/assets/examples/CDJ-7-2-oita-hita.pdf)