This demo shows how the IKC model framework can be applied to the construction of one or more birdhouses. Even a simple problem like this one can grow quickly in complexity once you want to see the joint effect of multiple varying parameters. In this demo, the cost models for materials include steps down at certain volumes, as may be the case when buying in bulk versus buying in smaller quantities. The material thicknesses are also correlated with both cost, given more or less material, and thermal insulation capability.

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This demo shows a toy model of a solar PV plant, using two different models for a solar panel (fixed-axis vs. single-axis design), which can be swapped in and out easily. It also shows how cost models can be swapped for different components and that your system hierarchy can be changed on the fly.

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At Form Energy, Io took responsibility for the company's primary technoeconomic model, developing new component submodels that incorporated ever-changing physics considerations, cost information, test data, and results from finite element simulations. She conducted high-dimensional trade studies to inform updates to design specifications, typically optimizing against cost per kWh while observing constraints such as system efficiency or shipping logistics. She overhauled the model to reduce technical debt, cutting debugging time from days or weeks down to hours. 

Image credit: MIT Technology Review

At Heliogen, Io developed technoeconomic models from scratch to conduct trades on CSP plant specifications for customer proposals. She ran high-dimensional parameter sweeps primarily to uncover the configuration with the lowest levelized cost of electricity within key constraints such as capex and land use. She created and maintained interactive interfaces for the business development team to run their own technoeconomic trades, giving them greater decision-making power while freeing up model developers to focus on model and feature development.

Image credit: Heliogen