Date:October 15, 2007 (Mon.) 16:00-18:00PM
Venue: E207, 2nd floor of East Building, CSEAS
Presentation:
・Takashi Watanabe (Professor, RISH)
・Yoshiharu Omura (Professor, RISH)
・Takahiro Sato (G-COE Research Fellow, CSEAS)
【Record of Activity】
Biomass is defined as “renewable organic material of biologic origin, with the exception of fossil resources such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas.” In terms of energy, it can be categorized into starch, lignocellulose and oil. Watanabe Takashi explained his hypothesis that lignocellulose, with its high energy efficiency, is the key to fuel production. He introduced the idea of biorefineries based on biomass. Biorefineries will become the leading actor in the next generation scientific industries, and can lead to a new system producing not just energy fuel but also other polyphenic raw materials (chemical products). In contrast to 20th century-style fuel refineries, which allowed only industrial areas to develop, 21st century-style biorefineries will transform the industrial structure, as local economies become vibrant through regional specific investment.
In plantations on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, bioethanol is being produced from molasses and cassava, and biodiesel is being produced from oil palm. This production is still taking place on a limited scale in comparison to other countries. The development of oil palm plantations involves many negative aspects such as deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and river pollution caused by industrial waste, so it is necessary to point out that many problems arise in the process of utilizing biomass. During his studies, Omura Yoshiharu has collected basic data on the items that should be taken into account as we build a sustainable society. Over the coming 50 years, the population of developing countries will double and the world population will reach 10 billion. Energy consumption will rise 2.5-fold, and preserving the status quo will no longer be an option. We need to envision how to establish a system that can enable well-balanced food and biomass production on a global-scale. The very foundation of the regional studies we carry out is to understand the meaning and value of the humanosphere. In particular, we must create a database that reflects energy and resource diversity as well as the sociological aspects of the region. For specific research contents, we will focus our data collection on biomass energy in the tropics and come up with a scenario for diffusing this energy whilst taking social systems into account in an appropriate way. Finally, as Omura Yoshiharu sets his sights 50 and 100 years into the future, he looks toward space, and expounds the idea of installing a photovoltaic power receiving station in the equatorial zone (because the equatorial zone is most appropriate for such a project). Sato Takahiro discussed the case of Tamil Nadu, India, where the state government’s introduction of an energy crop (Prosopis juliflora DC.) to ease poverty led to a fall in agricultural production. When introducing any energy crop, it is important to take in consideration the balance with overall agricultural production. Expounding on this idea, when assessing the energy production technology and institutions suitable for a region, it is important first to clarify the potential agricultural productivity of the region based on climate and other data. Sugihara Kaoru discussed the following ideas on biomass in the context of energy history: (1) the relative importance of biomass as an energy resource; (2) the fact that even today, biomass energy is the main form of energy in non-oil-producing developing countries; and (3) the structure of biomass consumption in India. He emphasized the importance of producing rural bio-energy in line with regional realities, by, for example, creating energy plantations and utilizing existing technology without having to destroy natural forests. In addition, Mizuno Kosuke introduced Jatropha curcas, which is beginning to become popular in Indonesia. If it is planted on community-owned land, the energy can be maintained on a family-by-family basis. If it is accumulated and sold, it is possible to establish an energy production system free from large corporate plantation forests.
(Rumi Kaida)