Tools for Assessment

RAINS

Contents:

| Overall Description | | Data Requirements | | Spatial Coverage | | Time Horizon | | Objective | | Issue Addressed and Basic Approach | | Adaptability | | Transferability | | Hardware and Software Requirements | | Bibliography |
Organisation : International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
Schlossplatz 1
A-2361 Laxenburg
Contact Person : Mr. Yuri Sinyak
Tel: (43-2236) 715 210 or 807 490
Fax: (43-2236) 71 313
E-mail: siniak@iiasa.ac.at

Data requirements

All data are supplied with the model.

Spatial coverage

RAINS-Europe: All of Europe up to the Ural;
RAINS-Asia: South-east Asia (East-west: India, China, Japan, south to Indonesia.

Time horizon

RAINS-Europe: Energy data base up to 2000, impact models up to 2040;
RAINS-Asia: 2020.

Objective

Evaluation of alternative strategies to reduce acidification.
Development of optimised international strategies.

Issues addressed and basic approach

Macroeconomic analysis
No macro-economic model.

Total energy system analysis

For RAINS 6 energy consumption data are exogeneous input. Interface to EFEM-ENV models.
The RAINS 7 version currently under development will contain an energy module to develop regional energy strategies.
The RAINS model contains a module to estimate international emission control costs.
Detailed electric system analysis
RAINS 7 will contain a module to handle large point sources (e.g. power plants) separately.
Environmental analysis
Calculation of SO2, NOx and NH3 emissions on a national or subnational basis.
Pollutant Transport
Long-range transport of sulfur and nitrogen compounds in form of linear transfer matrices. Calculation of sulfur and nitrogen deposition with a 150*150 km resolution (Europe) and 1*1 degree for south-east Asia.
Exposure analysis
Deposition and ambient air concentration of sulfur and nitrogen compounds.
Effects
Dynamic models for acidification of forest soils and lakes, impacts of ambient concentration on vegetation, international data base of critical loads.
Decision making analysis
Optimization included to derive cost-minimal allocation of emission reductions to achieve pre-specified levels of deposition.

Simulation of emission trading with exchange rates.

Adaptability

Difficult to other regions, requires wide scientific network to establish energy, meteorological and environmental data bases.

Transferability
User friendliness
Menu-driven, on-line help, graphic output (POSTSCRIPT format).

Documentation
User manual, scientific journal articles, book.

Training
Training Sessions: 2-3 days.

Case studies
The C02DB database has been submitted to more than 90 individuals and research organizations throughout the world.

Hardware and software requirements


Hardware
IBM PC and compatible 286, 386, 486;
(math coprocessor recommended);
640 kB RAM minimum, 2 MB recommended;
3-5 MB hard drive;
EGA/VGA Monitor.

Software
DOS 3.1 or higher.