Development of a methodology for fast cost estimation of renewable processes

IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) est un acteur majeur de la recherche et de la formation dans les domaines de l’énergie, du transport et de l’environnement. De la recherche à l’industrie, l’innovation technologique est au cœur de son action, articulée autour de quatre priorités stratégiques : Mobilité Durable, Energies Nouvelles, Climat / Environnement / Economie circulaire et Hydrocarbures Responsables.

Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
• la création de richesse et d’emplois, en soutenant l’activité économique française et européenne et la compétitivité des filières industrielles associées.

Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Development of a methodology for fast cost estimation of renewable processes

Awareness of the impact of humans on the environment requires the development of alternative pathways to ensure the Energy Transition. Bringing to market such new and innovating processes, especially transforming renewable feedstocks, is a challenge, and is one of our goals at IFP Energies Nouvelles. When a new process’ idea comes up, before investing considerable Research & Innovation resources, a quick estimate with very few elements is needed to assess the economic viability of the process. Is it worth investing in this process’ development?

The production cost of final product(s) must be roughly estimated at this point, considering raw materials, operating and capital cost. These economic results will then be used in decision-making at company level to extend studies or not. 

The internship will be divided into several steps:

• First, the Intern will focus on Capital (Investment) Costs. Methods allowing quick estimation of Capital Cost for new production units are described in literature. Some of those have already been tested at IFPEN. Somme additional bibliographic study will be carried out and allow to collect, review, and compare those methods.
• Then, Capital Cost data, mostly available in literature, will be collected by the Intern. The use of Artificial Intelligence will be tested on that purpose. Inhouse data cost will be added as well.
• Above mentioned Capital Cost Estimating Methods will be checked on the collected data and adapted if needed. A final methodology should be set-up.

The Intern will also have to look at the raw material consumption and operating cost estimation of a new process.

Required profile

Master 2 (CPE, ENSIC, Ecole des Mines de Saint Etienne, ENSIACET, UTC, ENSGTI, IST Lisbonne, Politecnico Milano, Politecnico Torino…)

Additional information

Duration of the internship: 6 months
Workplace: IFPEN Lyon (Solaize)
Transport : public transportation, private car
Paid internship : Gross compensation: 1130€