An Analysis on Community Revitalization by Utilizing Renewable nergy

Case study in Tsuchiyu Hot Spring

Abstract

In a wake of 3.11 (2011 Tohoku earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident on the 3.11), the Japanese government was required to change its energy policies drastically. Today, an increase of utilization of renewable energy is an urgent issue. Among a variety of renewable energy resources, small hydro energy is winning attention, since it has a variety of benefits: Small hydro emits little CO2 gas, gives little impact on the environment, runs for a long time, and local community oriented energy. In this study, the author picks up Tsuchiyu Onsen (hot spring) in Fukushima as a case study for utilization of renewable energy for local community revitalization.