Abstract
Renewable energy sources, including bioenergy, are presently attracting considerable attention as possible substitutes for fossil fuels. Among the various sources of bioenergy, biomass can arguably play a significant role in the reduction of greenhouse gases and the provision of a stable energy supply. However, the use of fossil fuels continues in the production of bioenergy. Consequently, the overall extent to which biomass utilization for energy can reduce carbon dioxide emissions as a substitute for fossil fuels and whether this can improve the energy self-sufficiency rate remains largely unknown. This study responds to these questions using a case of a Japanese rural community using firewood for residential heating. The results showed that woody biomass utilization for energy is able to both reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. These findings offer new insights into the development of sustainability in rural communities.
Highlights
Renewable energy sources are presently attracting considerable attention as possible substitutes for fossil fuels.How to cite this paper: Sawauchi, D., Kunii, D. and Yamamoto, Y. (2015) Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Energy Self-Sufficiency of Woody Biomass Utilization for Residential Heating: A Case Study of Nishiwaga, Japan
We must account for all energy inputs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions occurring during the production stages from a life cycle perspective [4] [5]
Bioenergy can play a significant role in GHG reduction and the securing of a stable energy supply as an alternative energy source to fossil fuel
Summary
Renewable energy sources are presently attracting considerable attention as possible substitutes for fossil fuels.How to cite this paper: Sawauchi, D., Kunii, D. and Yamamoto, Y. (2015) Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Energy Self-Sufficiency of Woody Biomass Utilization for Residential Heating: A Case Study of Nishiwaga, Japan. (2015) Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Energy Self-Sufficiency of Woody Biomass Utilization for Residential Heating: A Case Study of Nishiwaga, Japan. Woody biomass is obviously attractive to those rural communities with access to an abundant supply of forest resources. The utilization of woody biomass for energy offers several key benefits, including job creation, an additional income source for the forestry sector [1], mitigating global warming, and securing a stable energy supply. There are greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions arising during the production stages because external fossil fuel inputs are required to produce and harvest the biomass feedstock [4] [5]. We must account for all energy inputs and GHG emissions occurring during the production stages from a life cycle perspective [4] [5]
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