Conference article

The present work is intended to evaluate renewable energy potential in Northern Japan area and Tokyo metropolis and to reveal possibility of supplying renewable energy from Northern Japan area to Tokyo metropolis. This evaluation method consists of three processes with GIS. The first process is simulation of the meteorological parameters such as river discharge and direct solar radiation. The second process is extraction of potential areas with restrictions such as meteorological conditions; geographical features and social environment. The third process is calculation of annual energy production. The application of the new method to Northern Japan area shows that the sum of renewable energy potential is 185;000 GWh/year; which contains 120;374 GWh/year of wind energy; 29;111 GWh/year of mini-micro hydropower; 986 GWh/year of solar power; 31;089 GWh/year of geothermal energy and 3;440 GWh/year of biomass energy. The geothermal and biomass energy potential were quoted from earlier study. The renewable energy potential in Northern Japan area is bigger than the 78;519 GWh/year of electricity demand in civilian sector in Tokyo. It is possible for the renewable energy potential in Northern Japan area to satisfy electricity demand not only in Northern Japan area but also in Tokyo metropolis.

Renewable Energy Potential Estimation; GIS; Wind Energy; Hydropower; Solar Energy