Symposium 2025
Grenoble, France
7 October – evening Cocktail reception
8 October – full day Symposium
9 – 10 October - two days of optional exclusive tours in Grenoble
Register by September 15th for optional tours for non-EU attendees!
We are thrilled to invite you to take part in the symposium of the Franco-Australian Indo-Pacific Centre for Energy Transition, organized for the first time in France, in Grenoble.
It will bring together major players from the academic and industrial worlds in both countries to discuss the major challenges of the energy transition.
The event is an ideal opportunity not only to exchange ideas and discover the selected research and innovation projects, but also to forge lasting contacts in an environment that fosters Franco-Australian collaboration and the exploration of new opportunities.
Symposium
Energy transition on a global scale
The second annual symposium of the Franco-Australian Centre for Energy Transition, will be held on 8 October 2025, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE).
This significant collaborative event signifies a robust partnership between the two nations in the domain of energy transition.
It will begin on 7 October evening by a cocktail reception.
Panel discussions
Networking
Industry leaders
Innovative solutions
The event will especially cover critical topics including critical minerals, e-fuels and (e-)biofuels, hydrogen and smart grids.
7 October – Opening evening cocktail reception and welcome speeches in Grenoble’s Sainte-Cécile Convent.
8 October – Symposium featuring keynote speeches, a spotlight on the industry-innovation link for Franco-Australian ecosystems, announcements of FACET awarded projects, thematic roundtables, networking and more.
9 – 10 October
– Guided tours (optional) for Australian guests of France’s cutting-edge research centres in Grenoble (or potentially other sites), including CEA and UGA facilities, offering a closer look at projects and opportunities for collaboration, and opening possibilities to deepen discussions with French partners. Visits will be tailor-made and depend on the participants’ areas of research and interests.
Register by September 15th for optional tours for non-EU attendees!
Our Speakers
More speakers will be posted shortly.
The FACET Symposium promises to be a
pivotal gathering for advancing dialogue and collaboration in
energy transition between
France and
Australia.
overview
TUESDAY
7 OCTOBER
EVENING
Cocktail reception
Location: Chapel of the Sainte-Cécile Convent, 37 Rue Servan, 38000 Grenoble, France
7:30pm - 10:30pm Welcome speeches followed by a cocktail reception
overview
WEDNESDAY
8 OCTOBER
ALL-DAY
A sessions:
Venue: Isère Building and Public Works Federation,
88 Avenue des Martyrs,
38000 Grenoble, France
B sessions:
Venue: GreEn-ER building,
21 Avenue des Martyrs,
38000 Grenoble, France
Both buildings are opposite in the same street.
Morning
Location: Isère Building and Public Works Federation, 88 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
8:30am - 9:00am Registration, Welcome coffee and Networking
9:00am - 9:20am Opening and Introduction
Joy Sumner & Sarah Cumming, Co-Directors of FACET
9:20am - 10:00am Keynotes - High level speeches from French and Australian sides
Joy Sumner & Sarah Cumming, FACET codirectors
10:00am - 10:45am Presentation of FACET 2025 projects
One presentation per duo
10:45am - 11:05am Coffee break and Networking
11:05am - 12:05am Industry and Innovation spotlight
Tatiana Vilarinho – Fortescue, R&D Hydrogen Technology Manager – Europe
Patrice Tochon – Genvia, Director of Research & Development
Gabriel Bareux – RTE, Director of Research & Development
Representative of Air France
Lunch and Networking Activities
Venue:
Isère Building and Public Works Federation, 88 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
Afternoon
Location: Isère Building and Public Works Federation, 88 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
1:00pm - 1:30pm Introduction to sessions
Stream A: hydrogen & new fuels
Location: Isère Building and Public Works Federation, 88 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
Session A1 on hydrogen will be chaired by Laurent Antoni, Director of IPHE, and Dr. Karen Kozielski, Deputy head of hydrogen mission, CSIRO
Session A2 on new fuels will be chaired by Dr. Muriel Matheron, Research Director at CEA
1:35pm - 3:35pm Hydrogen
3:35pm - 4:00pm Coffee break and Networking
4:00pm - 6:00pm E-fuels & (e-)biofuels
Stream B:
Critical Minerals & future of grids
Location: GreEn-ER building, 21 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
Session B1 on critical minerals will be chaired by Stéphanie Riche, Program Manager - Circular Economy of Materials for Low Carbon at CEA
Session B2 on future of grids will be chaired by Vincent Debusscherre, Program Director & Associate Professor at University Grenoble Alps
1:45pm - 3:45pm Critical minerals
Stéphane Bourg OFREMI
Charles Vuillier GHD
Jérémy Causse CEA
Carla Gonzalez Zlatar CSIRO
3:45pm - 4:05pm Coffee break and Networking
4:05pm - 6:05pm Smart grids
Symposium Close
Venue:
Isère Building and Public Works Federation, 88 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
6:15pm - 6:30pm Closing Remarks
Joy Sumner & Sarah Cumming, Co-Directors of FACET
WHY GRENOBLE?
01
A BEACON OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND excellence
Ranked among the top 150 universities worldwide (top 50 in 6 disciplines and top 100 in 15 disciplines), Université Grenoble Alpes also stands out as the most inventive university in Europe, with over 3,300 patents filed between 2000 and 2020 and 170 active start-ups. It welcomes 57,000 students, including 3,000 doctoral candidates and 11,000 international students, and is a global leader in fields such as AI,
quantum engineering, digital health, and cybersecurity.
As the leading research organization in France and Europe for patent filings, the CEA files 660 patents
annually (70% on the Grenoble site), supports 240 start-ups, and manages 30 technological platforms. It notably launched Minatec and INES and hosts France’s first industrial renewable hydrogen unit.
The region also hosts five major international research facilities (ESRF, ILL, EMBL, IRAM, EMFL), welcoming over 8,000 visiting researchers annually, thereby strengthening its global scientific influence.
02
A LEADING HUB FOR DEEPTECH AND INDUSTRY
Ranked among the top 20 DeepTech hubs worldwide and 7th in Europe for DeepTech startups, the Grenoble Alpes ecosystem includes 750 start-ups that have raised nearly €4 billion since 2000. With 700 patents filed annually, it is the leading patent filer in the French public sector. It also hosts global industry leaders such as STMicroelectronics, Schneider Electric, and Soitec.
03
A STRATEGIC LOCATION OFFERING AN INSPIRING ENVIRONMENT
Located at the crossroads of Europe, Grenoble is renowned for its exceptional Alpine landscapes and ranked the best city in the world for quality of life.
WHY ATTEND?
- Access insights from specialists and decision-makers
- Participate in sessions addressing urgent transition challenges
- Network with key bilateral stakeholders
- Explore funding opportunities for projects
- Contribute to the development of tomorrow's clean energy workforce
FACET Symposium is indeed a unique opportunity to connect with global peers, share expertise and shape the future of energy transition. It is dedicated to highlevel and impactful collaboration, fostering lasting partnerships and leading to joint initiatives.
For 9 and 10 October: registration for non-EU citizens by September 11!
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See you on 7 October!
Our Founding Partners
