Cost curve analysis for SO2 and NOx emission control in Finland

The development of air pollution policies requires information on emission control effectiveness, application potential and costs. In this study Finnish cost-effectiveness data were calculated for sulphur and nitrogen oxides emissions in 1990 using technical and cost parameters from national operation experience in power plants and industry. Both derived cost curves depicting abated amount of emissions and related annualised costs were comparable with those in the Europe-wide Regional Air Pollution Information and Simulation (RAINS) model data for Finland using more aggregated input data, part of which were the same for all European countries. The ranking of abatement measures to combat acidifying emissions was explored by combining the controls of both SO₂ and NO_x based on their acidifying potential. The most cost-efficient controls, related mainly to SO₂, were already in use in 1995. A sensitivity analysis for SO₂ indicated that the uncertainty in annual operating hours of combustion plants (±1000 h per annum) has the largest effect on total abatement costs (−7 to −6%), whereas the presumed uncertainties of ±10% in removal efficiencies have the greatest effect of ±11% on total emissions. The national assessment of emission controls was important in describing the country-specific conditions in detail and highlighting the major differences from the RAINS model data and methodology. The results have facilitated the composition of further national reduction measures.