Chapter 42
Dynamic Simulation of Woody Biomass
Co-generation System Considering
Time-Varying Heat Demand: A Japanese
Community Bathhouse Case Study
Noriaki Nakatsuka, Yusuke Kishita, and Fumiteru Akamatsu
Abstract Since the implementation of the feed-in-tariff scheme in Japan in 2012,
the number of Japanese power generation plants using woody biomass has been
increasing. In order to maximize the amount of usable energy extracted from woody
biomass, however, it is necessary to use the generated heat in a way that meets
heat demand fluctuations. This paper proposes a model that enables the dynamic
simulation of a woody biomass co-generation system, taking into account the balance
of heat demand and supply. The model is developed using life cycle simulation to
evaluate and compare different configurations of energy conversion systems from
both economic and environmental viewpoints. A case study involving a community
bathhouse in Nara, Japan was conducted using two scenarios: one in which only
heat is supplied using conventional heavy oil, and a second in which both heat and
electricity are supplied by introducing gasification combined heat and power (CHP)
equipment using wood resources. A comparison of the two scenarios showed that
CO 2 emissions in the CHP scenario were 190% lower than those in the heavy oil
scenario. Moreover, the cost of the CHP scenario was 23% lower than that of the
heavy oil scenario due to electricity sales based on the feed-in-tariff scheme.
Keywords Woody biomass · Dynamic simulation · Heat demand fluctuation ·
Co-generation · Economic and environmental analysis
42.1 Introduction
In recent years, a rapid transition to a low-carbon society has been underway in
response to environmental problems such as global warming that have arisen from
the industrial development of human society. The use of renewable energy is one
of the primary elements of this transition. Until now, forest land residues, that is,
N. Nakatsuka (B) · F. Akamatsu
Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
e-mail: nakatsuka@mech.eng.osaka-u.c.jp
Y. Kishita
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability II, Sustainable Production, Life
Cycle Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6775-9_42
633
Dynamic Simulation of Woody Biomass
Co-generation System Considering
Time-Varying Heat Demand: A Japanese
Community Bathhouse Case Study
Noriaki Nakatsuka, Yusuke Kishita, and Fumiteru Akamatsu
Abstract Since the implementation of the feed-in-tariff scheme in Japan in 2012,
the number of Japanese power generation plants using woody biomass has been
increasing. In order to maximize the amount of usable energy extracted from woody
biomass, however, it is necessary to use the generated heat in a way that meets
heat demand fluctuations. This paper proposes a model that enables the dynamic
simulation of a woody biomass co-generation system, taking into account the balance
of heat demand and supply. The model is developed using life cycle simulation to
evaluate and compare different configurations of energy conversion systems from
both economic and environmental viewpoints. A case study involving a community
bathhouse in Nara, Japan was conducted using two scenarios: one in which only
heat is supplied using conventional heavy oil, and a second in which both heat and
electricity are supplied by introducing gasification combined heat and power (CHP)
equipment using wood resources. A comparison of the two scenarios showed that
CO 2 emissions in the CHP scenario were 190% lower than those in the heavy oil
scenario. Moreover, the cost of the CHP scenario was 23% lower than that of the
heavy oil scenario due to electricity sales based on the feed-in-tariff scheme.
Keywords Woody biomass · Dynamic simulation · Heat demand fluctuation ·
Co-generation · Economic and environmental analysis
42.1 Introduction
In recent years, a rapid transition to a low-carbon society has been underway in
response to environmental problems such as global warming that have arisen from
the industrial development of human society. The use of renewable energy is one
of the primary elements of this transition. Until now, forest land residues, that is,
N. Nakatsuka (B) · F. Akamatsu
Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
e-mail: nakatsuka@mech.eng.osaka-u.c.jp
Y. Kishita
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability II, Sustainable Production, Life
Cycle Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6775-9_42
633