Our speakers 2025

Mikaa Blugeon-Mered is a senior researcher on hydrogen strategies and geopolitics. He also advises local governments and SMEs on H2 markets and policies, contributes to several leading international hydrogen bodies (World Bank, IHFCA, CertifHy…) and is the founder of “Hydrogen Mosaic”, an educational innovation studio producing public-oriented games to spread hydrogen scientific knowledge.

Entrepreneur with 30 years in industry, in various sectors including automotive and energy, in positions of responsibility ranging from managing major international projects in large groups to general management of SMEs, and having founded CLHYNN in 2022 with a CNRS researcher to propose decentralised electricity production for mobility or stationary use, a genuine third way that is more sustainable, sovereign and practical than batteries and conventional hydrogen

After founding two companies in the energy storage industry, Sébastien Le Pollès established FlexFuel Energy Development (FFED) in 2009, an innovative French SME in the green energy sector specializing in systems that reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions from internal combustion engines.

From late 2016 to December 2020, leveraging FFED’s recognized expertise in ecological engine depollution through hydrogen injection, he invested in an R&D program for the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) in partnership with the Pôle Mer Méditerranée to develop and optimize a mobile unit for cleaning and maintaining high-powered engines of both civilian and military vessels.

A pioneer and market leader in Superethanol-E85 conversion kits, Sébastien Le Pollès contributed his expertise to the drafting and publication, in late 2017, of a ministerial decree by the Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition and the Ministry of the Interior, which authorized the approval and installation of these conversion systems.

In 2020 and again in 2021, FFED was selected by the French government to join the French Tech 120 program.

The partnership with the DGA also enabled him to develop a breakthrough Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) technology, deployed through Gen-Hy, a spin-off from FFED founded in 2019. Through Gen-Hy, Sébastien Le Pollès expanded into the manufacturing of electrolyzers for green hydrogen production, incorporating his AEM technology. His ambition is to contribute to the emergence of a fully French hydrogen technology sector.

In April, as part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) Hydrogen program, Gen-Hy was awarded €100 million by the French government to build in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté the first French factory dedicated to AEM membranes and electrolyzers for green hydrogen production.

Yannick Monnier currently serves as Director at the Régie des Transports du Territoire de Belfort (RTTB), operator of the Optymo urban network, where he oversees the development and management of public transport across the Belfort metropolitan area. His nearly twenty years of involvement with RTTB have given him an in-depth understanding of the operational and strategic challenges of urban mobility, particularly regarding emerging technologies and the sector’s energy transition.

Before being appointed Director in December 2014, Yannick Monnier first held the position of Deputy Director (2013–2014), as well as Head of IT and Projects (2005–2012), where he was notably responsible for the implementation and monitoring of onboard systems and R&D for the Optymo network, with a focus on intelligent transport systems. This experience enabled him to master the integration of complex technological solutions, the supervision of innovative projects, and the implementation of measures aimed at improving safety, performance, and risk management within public transport networks.

Raphael Pourret is Strategy, Marketing and Communications Director, Hydrogen Solutions division, FORVIA Group. Educated engineer, Raphael began his career in the automotive industry in 2000. He held various positions in product development at Robert Bosch -Diesel Systems, Volvo Powertrain and then joined FORVIA’s Clean Mobility business in 2015. Raphael took over responsibility for the Strategy and Product Line for Faurecia Clean Mobility’s Commercial Vehicles segment in 2020, then joined the hydrogen business in July 2023.Raphaël is a Mechanical Engineer with a degree from Polytech Lyon.

An engineer by training with 25 years of industry experience, Stéphane Rabatel worked for nearly 10 years at Renault on electrification and contributed to innovative projects such as the Mégane E-Tech. He also held positions at Airbus and Safran before heading up a company specializing in fuel cell technology in 2022. Since 2024, he has been CEO of Hopium, which he is repositioning to supply fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility, maritime, and aerospace applications.

Benno Weinberger is an expert in hydrogen safety and regulation. With a PhD in process engineering from the University of Paris XIII, he has been R&D manager at Ineris since 2009, where he leads work on H₂ risk analysis, provides ATEX and hydrogen safety training, and participates in several working groups on French hydrogen regulations. He is also involved in national and European research projects on hydrogen safety, and contributes to standardisation in groups such as AFNOR E29D, CEN CENELEC JTC 6, CEN 286 and ISO 197.