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.
Discover our program:
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.
40+ Speakers
TUESDAY
7 OCTOBER
EVENING
Cocktail reception
Location: Chapel of the Sainte-Cécile Convent, 37 Rue Servan, 38000 Grenoble, France
7:30pm - Doors open
7:45pm - Welcome speeches
- Prof. Pascale Quester - Swinburne University of Technology, VC & President
- Jean-Louis Falconi - CEA, Director of International Relations
- Prof. Yassine Lakhnech - Université Grenoble Alpes, President
8:15pm - 10:30pm Cocktail
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
8:30am - 9:00am Registration, Welcome coffee and Networking
9:00am - 9:30am Opening, Keynotes - High level speeches from French and Australian sides, Introduction
- Wei Li Wong, Flagship program manager at SUT & MC
- Prof. Yassine Lakhnech, President of Université Grenoble Alpes
- HE Marc Abensour, Ambassor for Indopacific
- Mardi Wu, Head Economic Department, Embassy of Australia
09:30am - 10:45am Presentation of FACET 2025 projects
Introduced by Joy Sumner & Sarah Cumming, Co-Directors of FACET
Presentations by partners
10:45am - 11:05am Coffee break and Networking
11:05am - 12:05am French and Australian industries on the energy transition path
- Dani Alexander – UNSW, Energy Institute CEO
- Gabriel Bareux – RTE, Director of Research & Development
- Tatiana Vilarinho – Fortescue, R&D Hydrogen Technology Manager – Europe
- Patrice Tochon – Genvia, Director of Research & Development
- Prof. Glenn Toogood - Future Industries Institute, Uni.SA / Former Qantas, Chair Clean Energy Technologies Adelaide University and IMT Atlantique
Lunch and Networking Activities
Venue:
Isère Building and Public Works Federation, 88 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
Afternoon
Stream A:
hydrogen & new fuels
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 and Aaron Wylie, General Manager at Downer
1:30pm - 3:30pm Hydrogen at the Crossroads: Technology, Infrastructure, and Partnerships
Laurent Antoni — IPHE, Executive Director
Karen Kozielski — CSIRO, Deputy Lead Hydrogen Mission
Marius Bosch — Rux, Head of Strategy & Commercial
Melanie Ducros — FACET / VH2, International Expert Hydrogen & Renewables
Pierre Laboue — France Hydrogène, Head of International Relations
Julien Agier — Ministry of energy transition, Project Manager, responsible for new renewable and carbon-free gas sectors
3:30pm - 4:00pm Coffee break and Networking
4:00pm - 6:00pm Circular Carbon: eFuels and eBiofuels for Energy Transition
Muriel Matheron — CEA, Research Director
Leonard Sarfaty — MGH, International Business Development Manager
Julien Grandjean — IFPEN, Project Leader
Aaron Wylie — Downer, General Manager Energy Solutions
Emmanuel Vullierme — Evolen, Director of Strategy and Technology
Elise Le Goff — CEA, Lead of FACET e-fuel project
Stream B:
Critical Minerals & future of grids
Session B1 on critical minerals will be chaired by Stéphanie Riche, Program Manager - Circular Economy of Materials for Low Carbon at CEA and Carla Gonzalez from CSIRO
Session B2 on future of grids will be chaired by Vincent Debusscherre, Program Director & Associate Professor at Université Grenoble Alpes and Gary Rosengarten, Professor & Director of Sustainable Technologies and Systems Enabling Impact Platform at RMIT
1:30pm - 3:30pm Towards efficient use of critical material ores
Stéphanie Riché — CEA, Circular Economy of Materials program manager (Panel moderator)
Carla Gonzalez Zlatar — CSIRO, international engagement manager for CSIRO Critical Minerals Hub
Stéphane Bourg — BRGM, director of OFREMI
Vincent Dieudonné — Eramet, referent beneficiation at Eramet Exploration
Charles Vuillier — GHD, Technical Director Tailings Management and Repurposing.
Antoine Leydier — CEA, expert in uranium and/or rare earths extraction from complex mining solutions
Jean-Baptiste Champenois — CEA, Head of the Mineral Materials Formulation and Characterization Laboratory
3:30pm - 4:00pm Coffee break and Networking
4:00pm - 6:00pm Decarbonation pathways of future energy systems: Crossed visions
Vincent Debusschere — UGA, Program Director & Associate Professor
Gary Rosengarten — RMIT, Director
Grégory Guyot — CEA, Head of Smart Grids Lab
Dani Alexander — UNSW, CEO UNSW Energy Institute
Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian — SUT, Head of Energy Transition Hub
Ali Bourig — EDF Australia, Project Development and Technical Manager
Thomas Padovani — Origin, Head of Market Growth and Partnerships
Symposium Close
Locations: Isère Building and Public Works Federation, 88 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France and GreEn-ER building, 21 Avenue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France
6:00pm - 6:15pm 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.
See you on 7 October!
Our Founding Partners
