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Division
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PO Box 7970
Madison, WI 53707-7970
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Vol.
7 #6, July 2008
Japan Expanding Use of Biomass for Energy
Japan’s current dependence on imported oil and dense
population is encouraging the country to seek ways to increase the use
of renewable resources for energy and realize its goal of reducing its
greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with the Kyoto protocol. Under
that 160-nation agreement reached in 1997, Japan has pledged to reduce
its greenhouse gas emissions 6 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.
Unlike fossil fuels, biomass does not contribute to global warming as
the gross amount of carbon dioxide contained within it and in the
atmosphere remains unchanged.
There are many kinds of biomass. Wood offcuts and sawdust can be
fermented to produce ethanol and methane gas, and hydrogen for fuel
cells can be extracted from methane gas to produce electricity by
mixing it with oxygen. Used cooking oil can also be converted into
diesel fuel. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and
Fisheries encourages “Bio Town” projects in towns and
villages as ways to utilize existing biomass (monster cane, woody
material, forestry scrap, etc.) in the production of energy and also
promoting sustainable rural economies through multi-function
agriculture.
Wisconsin Chiba Inc. is seeking three biomass/renewable/clean energy
experts from Wisconsin to participate in an exchange visit to China
Prefecture, Wisconsin’s sister-state in Japan, scheduled for
November 8 – 15, 2008. This will be the 6th
year of such exchanges between Wisconsin and Chiba. Three biomass
experts from Japan visited Wisconsin last October. The delegation
will visit the Kazusa DNA Research Institute, the Wagouen Yamada
biomass plant, Japan Recycle’s methane fermentation plant, the
Kyocera solar generation factory, and Kikkoman’s soya sauce plant
as well as Japanese cultural sites. Lodging, ground
transportation, and most meals are provided by the Japanese host
organization, Chiba-Wisconsin Association. Participants will be
responsible for roundtrip airfare to Japan and personal
incidentals. People interested in participating in the exchange
program should contact Ms. Beng Yeap, the Department of
Commerce’s Asia Specialist, beng.yeap@wisconsin.gov, (608) 266-1480.
Related: Midwest/Japan Conference to be in Milwaukee
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