12-13 Sep, 2012 - Seoul, SOUTH KOREA
Novotel Seoul Ambassador Gangnam
Novotel Seoul Ambassador Gangnam
Amidst power shortages in Japan, over 300 “biomass towns” in the nation are exploring and developing a variety of new energy alternatives. One among them is Maniwa, a city in Okayama Prefecture which has successfully developed comprehensive city planning and industrial tourism based on the promotion of biomass utilization for efficient energy output.
Its location in the centre of the Chugoku Mountains, and hence its access to lumber, prompted local entrepreneurs to develop a plan to utilize the forest for the city’s biomass business. "Thanks to the private sector's participation, we have been able to make biomass business the pillar of our city's policy," said Mayor Koichiro Ide. Maniwa City Hall’s air-conditioning system is fuelled by wood chips and pellets.
On the tourism front, there are organized guided tours to many facilities related to its biomass industry, and also offers accommodations at inns and hotels equipped with wood pellet stoves. The tours have made a tremendous economic impact of ¥580 million over the past 6 years, since its launch in 2007.
Another example is a local sawmill and Japan’s leading manufacturer of laminated lumber, Meiken Lamwood Corp., which profits from generating power from leftover wood, bark and other forest residue. The company can now support all its power needs at its plant by itself, and sell surplus electricity at night. This has reduced its annual costs by ¥150 million. It also produces wood pellets and cat litter as a way to make maximum utilization of chips. Meiken President Koichiro Nakashima is considering the construction of a new biomass power plant with a capacity to generate 10,000 kw or more.
At the 3rd Biomass Pellets Trade Asia in Seoul, experts will provide clarification on FIT and Renewable Portfolio Standard in Japan, South Korea and China. The conference to be held on 12-13 September will explore the means to secure wood pellets and agro biomass supply from South East Asia, discuss viable investments in Pellets Production or Bio-Power Generation, and cover many more topics on biomass and power generation. To reserve seats for this conference REGISTER here or contact hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg for any further queries.
Click here to read complete article.
