Considering the set up of a cogeneration installation raises many ques
tions. The decision to go forward or not depends not only on technical
factors but also on economical and financial factors, awareness of th
e risks involved, which often means appearing to specialized consultan
ts for advice. Everyone knows that the cost of these studies is high;
they should therefore be conducted only for feasible projects. It seem
s useful that these studies be preceded by a pre-feasibility study who
se main object would be to detect the major reasons which will make a
cogeneration project realizable or not and, when it is realizable, to
bring forward the weak points of the project. Thus, from this study, o
ne will expect the right answers but to have the right answers necessi
tates to ask the right questions and to ask the right questions suppos
es to know exactly what you are talking about! The Institut Francais d
e l'Energie proposes to help deciders in trying to make a judicious ch
oice: to invest or not invest in a cogeneration installation.