Mitigation strategies using different methodologies to compare greenhouse gases

Mitigation strategies for greenhouse gases (GHG) developed by using the PERSEUS-NAT model for Germany are presented. The model covers all relevant GHG emitting sectors in a bottom-up approach, thus making it possible to elaborate consistent, notional reduction strategies. The model results show that in the case without emission restrictions the CO2 emissions will decrease until the year 2010 due to a fuel switch to natural gas. After the year 2010 the CO2 emissions will rise because of increasing natural gas prices which are assumed in manyforecasts. As a result of these gas prices, hard coal power plants using imported coal are the most economical option to satisfy base load electricity demand. If CO2 reduction targets are introduced, one of the Most important reduction option in the electricity sector is to substitute natural gas for hard coal. This gas will especially be used in modem combined cycle power plants. Large CO2 reduction potentials can also be opened up by a rigorous realisation of insulation measures and the installation of natural gas condensing boilers. Taking into account other greenhouse gases the results vary strongly in reliance on the method used to compare the different gases (Global Warming Potential method or Radiative Forcing method).