Hokkaido Achieves Efficient Energy Recycling Using Biomass

Image by Maverick Dal. Some Rights Reserved.

A centralized biomass treatment facility (biogas plant and composting plant) was built at Shikaoi town in Hokkaido, northern Japan in September 2007. The facility collects and treats massive amounts of cattle manure from livestock farming (mainly dairy cow farming) which is a key industry in the area. Before then, waste biomass such as cattle waste and garbage had not been utilized or was being improperly utilized. It is a measure against odor caused by treatment of domestic animal wastes around urban areas and it aims at rationalization and sophistication of the treatment.

The biogas plant in the Shikaoi and Nakashikaoi area generates a total of roughly 4,000kWh per day, which is equivalent to the amount of electric power used by 460 households each day. The power generated by the plant will be used in the facility, and the surplus electricity will be sold to pay for the facility's operating costs.

By introducing the biogas plant, nearly 100 percent of waste biomass in Shikaoi town will be used. It is expected to improve the local environment by reducing the smell from cattle waste and lowering nitrogen leaching. It is also expected to reduce fossil fuel consumption and encourage alternative energy use, lessening environmental impacts.

Three Municipalities Added to Biomass Town Program (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026382.html

Posted: 2010/03/23 06:00:15 AM