Cost Functions for Controlling Ammonia Emissions in Europe

This paper presents a submodule which computes the costs of controlling ammonia emissions in 27 European countries. The submodule will be incorporated into the RAINS (Regional Acidification INformation and Simulation) model. Abatement options included are low nitrogen feed, stable adaptations, covering manure storage, biofiltration and low nitrogen applications of manure. Cost estimates are based on country-, animal-, and technology specific data such as the stable size and fertilizer price, manure production per animal and the investments per animal place. Results are shown as costs functions for the year 2000 for Finland and the Netherlands. They suggest that ammonia emissions in Finland could be reduced by 30% over the 1980 level at costs of 3 million DM per year only. Associated marginal costs would be 2300 DM/ton abated ammonia. A similar reduction in the Netherlands would cost 130 million DM per year. Marginal costs would be 4400 DM/ton ammonia abated. Using best available technologies, ammonia emissions in Finland could be reduced by nearly 55%, and in the Netherlands by 65% over the 1980 level. The cost functions show that up to a 50% reduction over the 1980 level, marginal costs are relatively low. For further reductions, costs are expected to increase sharply since more expensive techniques have to be applied