RAINS-ASIA: Model characterization

The RAINS model was developed at IIASA as a PC-based tool for the integrated assessment of alternative strategies to reduce acid deposition, originally designed for application in Europe. Recently the model has been further developed (version RAINS 7.0) to be applicable to any part of the world, provided appropriate databases have been prepared. The implementation of this new version of the model for Asia has been made possible by funding provided by the governments of the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden through the World Bank and by the Asian Development Bank, and as a result of collaboration between a number of scientific institutions in Asia and in the West.

Model characterization

• Model Structure

The RAINS model provides data, stored in dBase format, on energy scenarios, emission control technologies and abatement costs, atmospheric transport and critical loads. RAINS allows the user to examine the costs and effectiveness of different emission control strategies under various energy-use scenarios. The various sub-models of RAINS are organised into three modules:

• Regional Energy Scenario GENerator RESGEN
• enables the creation of alternative regional energy pathways
• estimates future energy trends for a variety of socio-economic and technical assumptions
• ENergy-EMissions Module ENEM
• estimates the pollutant emissions for a given energy scenario
• pollutants: SO₂
• emission sources:
• area sources
• approx. 350 large point sources
• estimates the costs of emission control - many abatement options available
• DEPosition and Critical loads Assessment Module DEP
• acid deposition projections are based on a transfer matrix for long-range transport calculated by an atmospheric transport/deposition model:
• NOAA's BAT model - 1° × 1° grid
• provides estimates of deposition as a function of changing emissions
• compares deposition estimates with critical loads, providing maps showing the exceedance of critical loads

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• Model Integration

RAINS has two modes of operation:

• Scenario analysis mode

The user can define emission control strategies (for specific fuel types, economic sectors, individual large emission sources, or emission control technologies) and apply them to any energy scenario (predefined or user-modified):

• to estimate the current costs and impacts of alternative emission control strategies
• to estimate future costs and impacts
• to calculate emissions and deposition levels for each strategy
• to assess the potential impact of emissions on critical ecosystems
• Optimisation mode (not yet available for RAINS-Asia)
• to determine cost-optimal strategies to achieve specified environmental targets
• Key output
• Pollutant emissions as a result of various energy scenarios and emission control options
• Costs of emission control strategies
• Maps showing deposition patterns
• Exceedance of critical loads maps