点から面に～先進地域における実態調査を通じての木質バイオマス
熱利用拡大のための調査研究および普及活動～
岩手大学農学部 伊藤幸男
NPO法人バイオマス産業社会ネットワーク＜背景と目的＞◆再生可能エネルギー電力固定価格買取制度（FIT）により、260万kW以上の木質バイオマス発電が認定されているが、木質バイオマス発電は、大量もしくは良質な燃料を要するなど、多くの地域では導入のハードルがまだ、高い。
◆一方、ボイラーやストーブにおける熱利用では、小規模でも高い利用効率であり、地域の未利用材調達力に応じた規模の機器を導入すれば、木質バイオマス発電のように森林資源に過大な負荷をかけるリスクがない。入浴施設、福祉施設、宿泊施設、病院、食品工場などでは、灯油・重油ボイラーによって熱利用を行っているが、これらは石油ではなく地域の未利用材を使う木質ボイラーで代替することが可能である。しかし、全国的にはまだ木質ボイラーなどの熱利用機器が割高であること、取扱業者が限られていること、燃料供給インフラが整備されていない等の理由から普及が遅れており、「点」にとどまっている。
◆岩手県では、全国でも先進的な木質バイオマス利用を行っている。公共機関を中心に約100台の木質ボイラーが導入されている他、紫波町駅前開発オガールにおけるチップボイラーによる地域熱供給の開始、木質バイオマスアドバイザー制度の導入、バイオマス燃焼機器事業者の存在、木質燃料供給インフラの整備、自治体職員への木質バイオマス利用についての知識の浸透などによって、点から面としての普及が進みつつある。
◆木質バイオマス熱利用先進地域である岩手県の事例を調査研究・分析・広報し、さらに岩手県で関係機関での研修を紹介することにより、他地域での木質バイオマス熱利用普及を後押しし、日本全国で木質バイオマス熱利用を「点」から「面」拡大に資することを目的に、調査研究および普及活動を行う。

岩手県紫波町の木質バイオマス熱利用施設を見学するバイオマスセミナー参加者

本調査研究結果およびシンポジウムの内容を盛り込んだバイオマス白書2016小冊子版

シンポジウム開催（2016年4月 代々木オリンピックセンター）＜調査研究および活動＞◆文献調査、現地ヒアリング調査等により、岩手県の木質バイオマス熱利用普及状況とその背景・課題についての学術的な調査研究を行う。ヒアリングの際に木質バイオマス利用のノウハウ伝達の詳細についても聞き取る。
◆得られた知見について広報するシンポジウムを開催、小冊子およびサイトの作成・普及活動、ノウハウ伝達について紹介するサイトを作成。
◆チップ流通網の整備、チップ乾燥・規格の普及などの課題が明確化し、関係者が連携して取り組む契機となった。
バイオマス研究会web

From “points” to “surfaces”～Studies and research, and dissemination
activities, aimed at expanding woodbiomass heat utilization through fact-finding
surveys in advanced regions～
Sachio ITO (Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University)
Biomass Industrial Society Network (BIN), NPO＜ Background and Objectives ＞◆ Currently, more than 2.6 million kW of wood biomass power generation has been certified through the renewable energy feed-in tariff (FIT) system. However, for reasons including the need for massive volumes or good quality fuel in wood biomass powergeneration, the barrier to introducing this form of power generation remains very high in many regions.
◆ On the other hand, in the utilization of heat in boilers and stoves, efficiency is higher than power generation. If equipment of ascale that corresponds with the region’s procurement capabilities for unused wood material is introduced, there would be no risksof imposing an excessive burden on forest resources in the way that wood biomass power generation does. In places such as bathfacilities, welfare facilities, accommodation facilities, hospitals, and food processing factories, heat utilization is carried out
through kerosene and heavy oil boilers. These can be replaced with wood boilers that make use of unused materials in the region
instead of petroleum. However, this replacement has taken place only at certain “points” and remains unpopular, due to factors
such as the high cost of heat utilization equipment such as wood boilers across Japan, the limited number of suppliers, and the factthat fuel supply infrastructure has not yet been developed.
◆ Iwate Prefecture uses wood biomass that is considered advanced even in comparison with the rest of Japan, and has introduced
approximately 100 units of wood boilers, mainly in public facilities. Furthermore, it has commenced regional heat supply throughchip boilers installed at the OGAL development in front of the Shiwa Town station, introduced a wood biomass advisory system,
the presence of biomass fuel equipment suppliers, development of wood fuel supply infrastructure, and widespread knowledge
about the use of wood biomass among local government employees, which are aspects biomass power generation is expanding,from “points” to “surfaces.”◆ By conducting studies and research, analysis, as well as publicizing the case of Iwate Prefecture, which is an advanced region inwood biomass heat utilization, and further, by introducing the training programs organized by the relevant agencies in Iwate
Prefecture, we provide support for the popularization of wood biomass heat utilization in other regions, and engage in studies,
research, and popularization activities with the aim of contributing to the expansion of wood biomass heat utilization across Japan,
from the “points” to the “surfaces.”

Participants in a biomass seminar touring a wood biomass heatutilization facility in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture

Biomass White Paper 2016 (booklet edition),
which contains information about the results ofthis study as well as contents of the symposium

Symposium held(April 2016, Yoyogi Olympic Center)＜ Studies and research, as well as activities ＞◆Through literature review, local interviews and surveys, and other means, weWebsite introducing the transfer of knowhow

conduct academic studies and research into the situation, background, and issues
pertaining to wood biomass heat utilization in Iwate Prefecture. During the interviews,
we also obtain detailed information about how knowhow on wood biomass utilizationis transferred.
◆ With regard to the knowledge and findings gained, we organize symposiums topublicize the information, engage in activities of producing and disseminating
brochures and websites, and produce websites introducing the transfer of knowhow.
◆Issues pertaining to the development of a chip distribution network, as well as thespread of chip drying and its standards, have been clarified, and provided an
opportunity for the relevant stakeholders to work together to resolve these issues.