Our 2024 Speakers

Brian Tracey is Director of Gas Sales at Vanguard Renewables where he is responsible for all RNG sales activities and partnership development with Utilities, Infrastructure Companies and Fortune 500 corporations. He has more than twenty years’ experience in project siting & development and has spent the past ten years leading commercial strategy on energy offtake sales for utility-scale solar & storage projects and farm-based RNG from anaerobic digesters throughout the US for Brightfields Development and Vanguard Renewables. Tracey holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science from Columbia University.

Christer Stoyell has been MD of Severn Trent Green Power for three years and brings a wealth of leadership, transformation, and industry experience to the company. Before joining Green Power, Christer was Head of Strategy and Transformation at Severn Trent Water where he was responsible for corporate strategy including the company’s plans for renewable energy, carbon reduction, sustainability, and growth. Christer has also held leadership roles at Capita Energy Services and Npower. While at Capita, Christer oversaw the design and built of the operating model for a new UK grid-scale battery storage business. With many years in the energy sector, Christer has led sustainability and carbon net zero transformations for FTSE 100 and DAX 30 companies, both in the UK and across Europe.

Christian is currently VP Biogas, Biomethane and Bio-LNG at VARO ENERGY, a leading European energy supplier embracing the energy transition through 5 pillars: Biogas, Biofuels, H2, E-Mobility and Carbon Removal. Christian is developing VARO’s Biogas business through Investments and Off-take contracts. Christian has got more than 20 years of international project management, sales, and production management experience in the manufacturing and energy industries. His background is in mechanical engineering and holds an MBA from IMD.

Damien Valdenaire is currently the Low Carbon Transition Manager at the TotalEnergies Antwerp Platform (Refinery & Petrochemicals). This is the continuation of a 24-years career in the refining industry within TotalEnergies with a broad knowledge gained in the Technical, Economical, and Strategic areas (Belgium, England and France). Furthermore, he was seconded in the EU Refiners Trade Association (Concawe) between 2016 and 2022, developing a higher perspective and understanding of the Refining challenges, energy transition and soft skills. In his current position, Damien is involved in all topics linked to the energy transition in Europe from an industrial perspective (CCS, electrification, Hydrogen, Low Carbon Fuels, biogas, recycling, etc.). Damien holds a Master Degree in Chemical Engineering from National Institute of Applied Sciences in Toulouse (France). Continuous interpersonal skills is a key career motivation driver, with numerous certifications such as individual Life & Performance Coaching.

Prior to joining Acorn Bioenergy as Downstream & Innovation Director, Daniel Lambert was at Air Liquide for five years, where he led downstream commercial activities and energy management for Air Liquide’s fast-growing green gas business in the UK. He previously worked for ENN, developing a biomethane fuelling stations venture in the UK and Netherlands, and managing solar energy projects in Italy and Germany.

Giulia Cancian is the Secretary General at the European Biogas association. Before joining the EBA in 2022, Giulia led Bioenergy Europe’s advocacy strategy, coordinated the delivery of policy reports, and the organization of several working groups. She gained experience on sustainability, energy and transports working with the biodiesel, non-ferrous metals and hydropower European trade associations in Brussels. Giulia holds a MA in International Relation from the University of Rome and a MSc in European Affairs from the Free University of Brussels.

Emmanuel leads DCC Energy’s sustainable gas development programme, which supports the group’s goal to decarbonize our customers energy consumption by substituting fossil LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) by renewable and low carbon alternative gases. Emmanuel graduated as an engineer from Paris school of mining engineering (Ecole des mines de Paris – PSL) with a major in Management Science. He started his career in 2003 with Butagaz, a leading LPG distributor in France, with roles in supply chain, industrial operations and investments. From 2009 to 2015, he was with Shell in various capacities, most notably acting as business economist for upstream oil and gas investment projects. As Butagaz was acquired by DCC Energy in 2015, Emmanuel joined Butagaz’ executive committee and led the firm’s diversification strategy, combining innovation projects, organic development of new activities in adjacent markets and M&A to position Butagaz as a multi-energy supplier of choice, supporting its customers energy transition with LPG, natural gas and power supply, biomass and solar photovoltaics solutions. Emmanuel led the solar photovoltaics business unit, now part of DCC Energy’s WeWise, from 2021 to 2023.

With a solid background in machine learning, Philippe Breuils is a founding partner at Green Data Science, a team of data scientists and AI engineers focused on optimizing the production of renewable energies, in particular biogas plants. By applying cutting-edge technologies to the complex processes involved in anaeoric digestors, we aim to provide powerful business intelligence tools backed by data and simple to use.

Victor Bernabeu is Director in the Eurogas Policy Team. He oversees the association's working groups on wholesale market, renewable & low carbon gases, transport and carbon capture. Prior to joining Eurogas, Victor was Senior Manager for Technical & Regulatory Affairs in the European association representing ethanol producers where he was fully dedicated to transport, energy and climate issues, involved in all the major EU policies. Before coming to Brussels, Victor held different engineering positions at major energy companies. Victor is a French engineer, holds a MSc. in Chemistry for Chimie ParisTech, a MSc. in Chemical Engineering from PSL Research University and a MSc. in Energy & Products from the IFP School.

Carlos Calvo Ambel - Senior Director, non-road policy and analysis, Transport & Environment (T&E) Carlos Calvo Ambel joined T&E in 2015, where he coordinates T&E’s work on non-road transport policy, covering energy, shipping, aviation, rail and broader climate policy tools. Throughout his career, he has worked on climate change issues at the European Commission and as a consultant for the private sector, advising clients on the EU emissions trading system and other carbon reduction programs.

With over 20 years of experience in the energy and construction sector, Thorsten Holl’s extensive expertise spans engineering, finance and strategic leadership. At VORN Bioenergy, Thorsten leads the company’s strategic direction, focusing on market expansion, partnership enhancement and asset portfolio growth across Europe. He joined VORN from Emerald Operating Partners, a strategic advisory boutique within the energy transition domain. Prior to this, Mr Holl was an Executive Board member of Keller Group plc, a London listed FTSE250 company where he developed and executed the growth strategy for EMEA. Moreover, Mr Holl held several project management and contracting roles, including the global responsibility for project execution at Alstom.

David Hurren graduated from Imperial College in Chemical Engineering. For most of his career he has worked in the Industrial Gas industry, apart from a spell in water & wastewater treatment. After 25 years with Air Liquide UK, including setting up and leading Air Liquide's Biogas operations in the UK over the he is now working as a consultant/board advisor with knowledge on Biomethane Production, Transport and Use; Biogenic CO2; Hydrogen; and managing start-ups and rapidly growing businesses in the Renewables Sector. David is Chair of the REA Green Gas committee; and on the advisory boards for ADBA and Gasworld as well as being Director of DAH renewable consulting.

Samuel YONNET is a specialist in biogas and CO2 liquefaction, boasting several years of experience that have honed his expertise in agriculture and renewable gas. With a deep-seated passion for business development, particularly in multicultural and complex work environments, Samuel excels in forging strategic partnerships and implementing innovative solutions. Currently serving as Global Sales Manager at PRODEVAL, Samuel is responsible for spearheading global sales development. In this capacity, he offers a wide array of biogas upgrading solutions, CO2 liquefaction, and RNG systems. His commitment to sustainable development and technical proficiency positions him as a leader in the renewable energy sector, shaping the future of agricultural and energy industries.

Daan is co-founder of Common Futures and an experienced consultant and energy system expert with 20 years of experience in energy policy, infrastructure and markets. Common Futures is an energy transition consultancy, specialising in system integration and optimisation. Founded in 2021, we currently have a team of seven. At Common Futures Daan supports energy and infrastructure companies with studies on biomethane and hydrogen markets and infrastructure and energy system analysis. Before founding Common Futures, Daan worked at Ecofys and Guidehouse, where he coordinated the Gas for Climate and European Hydrogen Backbone initiatives and performed several large system studies for energy infrastructure companies. He also supported the European Commission (DG Energy) with analysis studies on bioenergy and hydrogen market regulation. Daan also led science-based climate targets setting projects, including for McDonald’s global operations. Daan started his career as an MEP assistant in Brussels, where he was involved in the creation of the first EU Renewable Energy Directive.

I started my career by developing and financing renewable energies production project. Next, I worked 7 years on advising national and local authorities on their energy services and infrastructure projects. After couple of years to define biowaste business strategy of SUEZ, now I am leading organic recovery infrastucture development of SUEZ in France.