The Feasibility of Using Bioenergy as an Alternative Energy Source in Automobiles

Abstract

We proposed an energy flow model using multiple types of biomass to conduct a system dynamics analysis of the potential of using bioenergy as an alternative energy of fuel for automobiles in rural areas. Six scenarios for Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, as one example of energy self-sufficient society, were proposed for simulations based on the energy flow model. The scenarios included the use of unpractical and unused farmland for biomass production and the diffusion of electric vehicles (EV) in Tochigi Prefecture. Simulation results showed that sufficient bioenergy could be produced after 27 years to satisfy the requirements of alternative energy automobiles under the following conditions: a 5% annual EV diffusion rate, a 2.9% annual improvement in fuel consumption for both EVs and gasoline vehicles, and a 4.2% annual increase in the area of unpractical and unused farmland used to produce feed rice (Fukuhibiki) as biomass. Fuel consumption rates and the diffusion rate of EVs strongly affect the outcomes of the simulations.