What is the Next-Generation Energy Park?

Learn Now about Next-Generation Energy

子ども達が工場見学をしている様子

For the future of this Earth and for the future of our children, there is a need to develop energy resources that take the environment into consideration. The Next-Generation Energy Park is a place where people, from children to adults, can learn not only about next-generation energies but about various environmental efforts such as renewable energies as well.

Experience Next-Generation Technologies First Hand

A unique feature of the Next-Generation Energy Park is the ability for guests to see, interact with, and feel technologies such as those that generate renewable energy.

Feel the Power of Nature through Play

Renewable energies are those that convert the power of nature, such as the power of the sun, wind, water, the heat of the earth, and plants, into energy. Here you can come in contact with the energies produced by nature in a way that you would never be able to in your everyday life.

Leading Areas and Satellite Facilities

The facilities that make up the Next-Generation Energy Park throughout the Fukuyama area are called “satellite facilities.” “Leading areas” refers to areas containing collections of several satellite facilities as well as areas containing businesses and facilities engaged in advancing technology in the energy sector. Currently, the Minooki and Tsuneishi areas are leading areas in Fukuyama.

リーディングエリア・サテライト施設の航空写真

* “Satellite facilities” refers to private facilities (factories, offices, etc.) and other educational facilities within the city where visitors can see, interact, and learn about renewable energies and energy conservation.

Building Low-Carbon Societies, Recycling-Oriented Societies, and Symbiotic Societies

What Is a Low-Carbon Society?

A “low-carbon society” is a society which aims to reduce greenhouse gases within reasonable terms while providing for a convenient and enriched society.

* “Greenhouse gases” are gases that absorb heat emitted from the Earth’s surface and have properties which maintain the Earth’s temperature (called the greenhouse effect). Currently, approximately 95% of the greenhouse gases emitted by Japan are composed of carbon dioxide.

What Is a Recycling-Oriented Society?

“Recycling” is the passing of something through a cycle and repeating that cycle, which means not discarding something after it has been used only once but rather reusing something for materials or resources to create something new again. A society which places importance on the reuse of materials and energy is referred to as a recycling-oriented society. In other words, it is a society which lives harmoniously with the Earth and uses its limited resources with care. A concept called the “3 Rs” represents the idea of using resources carefully. The Rs stand for reducing garbage (“reduce”), reusing our resources (“reuse”), and recycling them for reuse (“recycle”).

What Is a Symbiotic Society?

An economic society which recycles efficiently, reduces the stress on the natural environment, and can continue to enjoy the benefits of nature well into the future is called a “symbiotic society.” To build a symbiotic society, we should think of all the living things on Earth as our friends and work to live together in harmony.

What Is Global Warming?

The surface of the Earth is warmed by the sun’s energy. While most of the heat emitted by the Earth’s surface escapes into space, a portion of it is absorbed by gases in the air, such as carbon dioxide, which stay inside the Earth’s atmosphere. If a reasonable amount of these greenhouse gases are in the atmosphere, then the temperature of the entire Earth remains stable, becoming an environment that is well-suited for living things. However, if the amount of greenhouse gases increases too much, an excess of heat is created, and the temperature of the entire Earth rises. This condition is called global warming.

What Is Biodiversity?

Currently, it is said that there are 5 to 30 million species of living things on Earth. It is believed that there are over 300,000 species of living things just in Japan alone. They live in a variety of environments, such as forests, rivers, grassy plains, sandy areas, and the sea. They support each other, fight each other, and maintain balance while living in these various environments. Biodiversity refers to many different species of living things living together in these complex relationships in a diverse range of environments. Right now, many living things are in danger of becoming extinct. It is said that in Japan, 3,597 species are under threat of extinction. These are referred to as endangered species.

To find out more information, read the “Annual Report on the Environment for Children.
For even more information, read the Annual Report on the Environment.