Status
Scientific disciplines
Research direction
Economics & Technology Intelligence
Affiliate site
Rueil-Malmaison
The thesis aims to study the energy transition’s impact on water resources in the light of the projected increase in global metal demand. It shall bridge the gap between existing literature on the water-energy nexus and the mineral-energy nexus by analysing the effects of the extraction, processing, and refining of critical metals necessary for the energy transition on both local and global water reserves. The thesis consists of three main components. First, it will assess the water consumption associated with the extraction and processing of critical materials at each stage of their value chain. This assessment will modify the objective function of the KINESYS model by optimizing water consumption of technologies rather than their economic costs. Second, it will compare the impact of various energy transition scenarios on water consumption. By combining KINESYS model results with life cycle analysis, this component will aim to identify potential tensions and disruptions in water supply across different energy scenarios. Third, it will evaluate the economic, social, and political impacts of increased water tensions caused by the development of mining projects through a comparative analysis of French lithium extraction projects led by Imerys (Emili, Allier) and Eramet and Electricité de Strasbourg (AGeLi, Bas-Rhin). This last part will explore water-related conflicts and propose a reflection on usage conflicts applied to the French mining context.
Keywords: modelling, water consumption, energy transition, critical minerals, usage conflicts, geopolitics.
- Academic supervisor / IFPEN supervisor Dr, HDR, Emmanuel HACHE, ORCID : 0000-0002-3875-628X
- Doctoral School Université Paris Nanterre
- PhD location IFPEN, Rueil-Malmaison, France
- Duration and start date 3 years, starting in the fourth quarter 2025 (Novembre 3)
- Employer IFPEN
- Academic requirements University Master degree in Energy Economics, Macroeconomics, or Environmental Economics
- Language requirements English level B2 (CEFR)
- Other requirements Modeling
To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to the IFPEN supervisor indicated here below.