An emerging research axis of the STEEP team (steep.inria.fr) of Inria (Grenoble, France) intends to contribute to the design, evaluation and debate of socio-technical alternatives for the future (e.g., horizon 2050). “Expert” quantitative modeling makes it possible to guarantee the biophysical coherence of narratives (regarding flows of materials, energy and human work) and to tackle complex issues (e.g. trade-offs between social and environmental criteria, trade-offs between geographical scales…) (Giampietro et al, 2021 ; Courtonne, 2016). In order for these alternatives to emerge in a democratic manner, the team is currently involved in both “expert modeling” and “participatory modeling” (where groups of citizens identify what they wish to model and create and evaluate their own alternatives). This communication will focus on the latest developments on the “expert” side. We define a socio-technical alternative as a consistent arrangement of modes of production and modes of consumption. This includes biophysical and socio-political dimensions, but for the time being the emphasis is laid on the circulation of material, energy and human work between sectors and down to final consumption.