Yasunori Kikuchi

Bio: Yasunori Kikuchi is an academic researcher from University of Tokyo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Life-cycle assessment & Renewable energy. The author has an hindex of 18, co-authored 99 publications receiving 843 citations. Previous affiliations of Yasunori Kikuchi include Tokyo Institute of Technology & National Institute for Materials Science.

Industrial Symbiosis Centered on a Regional Cogeneration Power Plant Utilizing Available Local Resources: A Case Study of Tanegashima

Abstract: Plant-derived renewable resources have the potential to enable the simultaneous generation of high-value-added products, such as foods, with energy, such as electricity and thermal power. Much of the heat cogenerated from renewables in power plants has been discarded because of the geographical and temporal gaps in heat supply and demand. In this study, we aim to devise an effective industrial symbiosis (IS) for a regional combined heating and power (CHP) plant utilizing local renewable resources. For the actual region of IS, the island of Tanegashima in Japan was adopted, where sugarcane is planted as a base industry. Through a thermodynamic analysis of the energy flows in a sugar mill, it was demonstrated that large amounts of heat were discarded from the sugar mill, even though the quality of heat was high enough for power generation or other energy demand. This is partly because some of the renewables have been regarded as wastes in the production of foods or other high-value-added products. At the same time, scenarios were defined and analyzed on the integrated use of locally available lignocellulosic biomass to increase the operation ratio of an existing bagasse-based CHP system. Through both periods with and without sugar production, additional heat and power can be made available by decreasing the energy loss and through IS.

Practical method of assessing local and global impacts for risk-based decision making: a case study of metal degreasing processes.

Abstract: For risk-based decision making, local and global impacts should be considered simultaneously. In metal degreasing processes, various cleansing agents are used and a significant amount of such cleansing agents is released into the environment. An appropriate measure of reducing chemical risk associated with industrial cleaning processes should be implemented on the basis of evaluation results representing the local and global impacts. In this study, we assessed metal degreasing processes using a chlorinated solvent with an open-top washing machine and four alternative scenarios, namely, improving the settings of the machine (two cases), changing the local ventilation system, and installing a recovery system using activated carbon. The applied methods are plant-specific risk and life cycle assessments. Specifically in the risk assessment, detailed process data available for decision makers are utilized to evaluate occupational and neighborhood risks. The results of this case study indicate a tradeoff relationship between the local and global impacts in metal degreasing. Through the discussions on the practicability of the integration of the local and global impacts into actual decision making, we conclude that the way to use, select, or integrate risk and life cycle assessments should be analyzed systematically as the situation demands at decision making.

The Environmental Protection Agency

Abstract: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides access to information on a variety of topics related to the environment and strives to inform citizens of health risks. The EPA also has an extensive library network that consists of 26 libraries throughout the United States, which provide access to a plethora of information to EPA employees, scientists, and researchers. The EPA implemented a reorganization project to digitize their materials so they would be more accessible to a wider range of users, but this plan was drastically accelerated when the EPA was threatened with a budget cut. It chose to close and reduce the hours and services of some of their libraries. As a result, the agency was accused of denying users the “right to know” by making information unavailable, not providing an adequate strategic plan, and discarding vital materials. This case study explores the background of the digitization project, the practices implemented, and the critiques of the project.

Hydrogen Storage for Mobility: A Review

Abstract: Numerous reviews on hydrogen storage have previously been published. However, most of these reviews deal either exclusively with storage materials or the global hydrogen economy. This paper presents a review of hydrogen storage systems that are relevant for mobility applications. The ideal storage medium should allow high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities, quick uptake and release of fuel, operation at room temperatures and atmospheric pressure, safe use, and balanced cost-effectiveness. All current hydrogen storage technologies have significant drawbacks, including complex thermal management systems, boil-off, poor efficiency, expensive catalysts, stability issues, slow response rates, high operating pressures, low energy densities, and risks of violent and uncontrolled spontaneous reactions. While not perfect, the current leading industry standard of compressed hydrogen offers a functional solution and demonstrates a storage option for mobility compared to other technologies.

Using Contingent Valuation to Explore Willingness to Pay for Renewable Energy: A Comparison of Collective and Voluntary Payment Vehicles

Abstract: Using Contingent Valuation to Explore Willingness to Pay for Renewable Energy: A Comparison of Collective and Voluntary Payment Vehicles Ryan H. Wiser 1 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Rd., MS 90-4000, Berkeley, California 94720 Abstract This study uses a split-sample, dichotomous choice contingent valuation survey of 1,574 U.S. residents to explore willingness to pay (WTP) for renewable energy under collective and voluntary payment vehicles, and under government and private provision of the good. We also evaluate the impact of “participation expectations” on stated WTP. We find some evidence that, when confronted with a collective payment mechanism, respondents state a somewhat higher WTP than when voluntary payment mechanisms are used. Similarly, private provision of the good elicits a somewhat higher WTP than does government provision. We also find that contingent valuation responses are strongly correlated with expectations for the WTP of others. Our results shed light on strategic response behavior and the incentive compatibility of different CV designs, and offer practical insight into U.S. household preferences for how to support renewable energy. Keywords: Contingent valuation; Renewable energy; Willingness to pay; Payment vehicles Introduction Some of the most basic questions about the organization and functioning of society involve issues raised by the existence of public goods. With respect to environmental public goods, how should funds used to support environmental improvement be collected and used? In particular, are collective, mandatory payments superior to voluntary, charitable payments due to the possibility of free riding? And to what degree should the government be involved in spending these funds: should Corresponding author. Tel.: 1-510-486-5474; fax: 1-510-486-6996. E-mail address: rhwiser@lbl.gov (Ryan H. Wiser).