Volume 59

A Simulation-Based Cost Analysis of Forest Residue Extraction Using Drones in Hilly and Mountainous City Takashi Ohki, Yoshiki Yamagata

Abstract

In recent years, the development of woody biomass power generation facilities certified under the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) and Feed-in Premium (FIP) schemes has rapidly progressed across various regions. However, large-scale woody biomass power generation without thermal utilization has been criticized for significant energy losses and the unsustainable demand for fuelwood that exceeds the capacity of local forestry sectors. In response, increasing attention is being directed toward Intra-Regional Ecosystem initiatives that promote the local circulation of forest resources through thermal utilization of woody biomass. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a locally produced and consumed heat utilization system using woody biomass in mountainous rural cities. Specifically, it evaluates, from an economic perspective, the potential for efficiently collecting residual forest biomass using drones to meet the heat demand of small settlements. Simulation results suggest that in a settlement of approximately 25 households, forest residues generated within a 500-meter radius can be collected and chipped using drones and supplied at a lower cost than commercially available wood chips. Moreover, compared to systems that rely on trucks and forwarders, drone-based collection systems can offer more stable cost performance regardless of forest terrain conditions.

Keywords woody biomass, forest residues, renewable energy, GIS, drone