We are excited to share with you a great article that recently appeared in Girl Power Talk , spotlighting Camille Lopez, the founder of HY-Plug. This article celebrates Camille’s inspiring journey and her remarkable impact and vision for sustainability in the marine industry.
"Camille Lopez's journey and her vision of sustainability in the maritime industry
Overview:
It was while growing up in Six Fours les Plages, France, on the family boat, that Camille developed her love of sailing and the environment.
She founded HY-Plug to focus on sustainable maritime energy solutions, overcoming initial market skepticism.
With HY-Plug, she has won sustainability awards, secured major contracts and gained exposure at the Monaco Yacht Show.
Camille places more importance on mentorship and hands-on experience than traditional leadership roles.
It promotes hydrogen, electricity, methanol and biofuels as practical solutions to decarbonize the maritime industry.
I was born and raised in Six Fours les Plages, a small town by the sea in France. Nearby is Toulon, one of the largest military ports in the region, surrounded by small coastal towns along the Côte d'Azur. You may know the area better from its famous site, Saint-Tropez, which is about an hour's drive from where I am, to the west of the region. Where I grew up, my family has owned a boat since I was three months old. This boat, called Camille, is a family vessel that is dear to us - a small wooden boat known locally as a "Pointu". It is a traditional boat often used by local fishermen, but has become a much-loved family boat.
It was on this boat that I learned everything about sailing, mooring, and boat handling. In high school, I also took sailing lessons at a local sailing school, where I sailed Optimists and Hobie Cats, which are small boats without a motor, every week. My sailing knowledge was shaped by my experiences with the family boat and these lessons at school. Growing up on the coast, I always admired the beautiful blue waters of our area. However, as I grew older, I noticed the increase in pollution, which was a harsh reality compared to what we often saw on television. Seeing these changes with my own eyes, I understood the urgent need to take action for the environment.
This personal connection to the sea and observing environmental changes over time inspired me to pursue a career in the maritime sector. I also obtained several sailing licenses - coastal, inland, offshore and SRC - for the love and to further my knowledge, even though I didn't necessarily need them for practical purposes. My passion for sailing and environmental protection has been a driving force throughout my journey.
2. What are the major challenges you have faced in your professional and personal journey?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my career advocating for a sustainable energy transition has been timing. It is 2024, and the first IMO regulations will not come into force until 2030. I often hear that it is still too early for many, and people say they need more time. However, I decided to enter the market early with HY-Plug because I wanted to be a pioneer in this energy transition, rather than joining the industry later when it becomes more mainstream and competitive.
From the outset, I knew that the market wasn’t quite ready. Despite the growing conversation about sustainability, many companies still aren’t making it a priority. They may publicly support the idea, but behind the scenes, they’re not yet interested in it. This disconnect means that, in practice, I spend more time educating others about the importance of sustainable energy than doing business. Building relationships and negotiating contracts has also been a slow process. For example, it’s taken six months to a year to finalise deals, which is a crucial part of building a solid foundation for HY-Plug. The business landscape is challenging because timing is everything. My goal is to be well positioned by 2030, when mandatory CO2 reduction targets come into force. I hope that by then, the industry will recognise the value of the work we started years ago.
Thanks to our past and present clients, who have taken the subject seriously and have been working on it since 2021. There are also pioneers, and we thank them for their trust.
In the meantime, I am focused on building meaningful connections and projects that align with our mission. For example, I signed a contract with the Ports of Monaco earlier this summer and have been working with Lorenzo Shipyards to implement sustainable change. The journey involves a lot of patience and persistence, and I believe that being ahead of the market will ultimately pay off when others face the pressure of new regulations. I hope that sharing these ideas will help others understand the realities of the transition to sustainable energy and the importance of persistence and timing in this area.
3. Can you describe the growth and journey that led you from a sales intern to a founder, and ultimately to your success?
When I was in my second year of my Masters, I saw a business plan competition, “The Mark Challenge”, and decided to enter. Even though I didn’t have a specific idea for a project, I was determined to enter and win. I started thinking about it and realised that while I was familiar with automotive engines, the professional side of the marine industry was unknown to me, which excited me because it meant there was a lot to learn. I was 23 years old and realised that focusing on conventional energy engines, such as V12s, would not be viable for starting a new business by 2021. So I decided to delve into the recreational boating sector, with a particular focus on sustainable energy.
I reached out to a range of stakeholders, including hydrogen storage providers, biofuel producers, methanol logisticians and electric supercharger manufacturers, and discovered a major gap: there was no real connection between the different players in the industry. I wanted to create a network that would fill this gap and provide transparent and honest advice, without conflicts of interest. My approach was to work directly with clients, offer them impartial advice and connect them with the suppliers best suited to their needs. This model allowed me to avoid the pitfalls of business as usual and focus on creating real value for my clients. Despite some scepticism about the viability of my project, I persevered and eventually won the first double prize in the competition for sustainability and recreational boating. This recognition validated my approach and encouraged me to move forward. I continued to develop my network and secure contracts, including major contracts with the Ports of Monaco and other key players. For an additional challenge, I entered the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge, which I won in Category 1.
In 2022, I entered the Junior Chamber International of Monaco competition and, despite the doubts of others, I won first place, the Monaco Government Prize. This victory accelerated my projects, leading me to establish a second company in Monaco and secure major contracts for hydrogen projects in the South of France and other regions. Throughout 2023, I participated in numerous events, made thousands of contacts and secured major contracts, such as a biofuel contract in the Emirates. The success achieved at these events demonstrated the value of perseverance and networking in building a successful business. One of the most important milestones was the presentation of the Sustainability Hub at the Monaco Yacht Show, which provided an excellent platform to showcase our work. This ongoing partnership has been instrumental in our continued growth.
Over time, HY Plug has grown from a concept to a full-fledged consultancy company. We now focus on hydrogen, electricity, biofuels and methanol for the maritime industry. We work on everything from refuelling stations to onboard energy production. We have successfully expanded our network to over 1,300 suppliers and have built strong relationships across the industry.
On a personal level, equestrianism and engines have always been my passions. I have been riding horses since I was four years old and at 14 I had the horse of my dreams. This connection to nature and my experiences in endurance racing have given me a deep appreciation for the environment, which fuels my commitment to sustainability. Growing up, I was surrounded by engines and mechanical work, thanks to my father. This technical background has proven invaluable in my work, allowing me to understand and navigate the complex world of environmental impact versus lobbying and politics.
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve learned the importance of adapting my business model, staying persistent, and focusing on real customer needs. Success requires understanding the market, being open to changing your approach, and never underestimating the value of networking and real-world feedback.
4. As a leader of a company like HY-Plug and other initiatives, what does leadership mean to you?
For me, leadership is not just about holding a title or taking responsibility; it is more about the impact you have on others. For example, in 2021, I participated in the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge as a candidate. Although the competition was somewhat disappointing in terms of recognition – I only received one paper and no major awards – the experience was invaluable. The following year, I was invited to be part of the jury, and then the year after that, I was asked to mentor student teams. Being asked to do so again on several occasions was a gratifying affirmation of my approach.
This year I have mentored both a student team and a professional team. The feedback I have received has been incredibly positive, with people saying that my ideas and advice have been truly beneficial. I recently received an email from one of the teams and, although I have not yet had a chance to respond properly, it is comforting to know that my involvement has made a difference.
For me, leadership is about having a positive impact and inspiring others, even if it’s in ways I don’t always fully understand. It’s not about fitting into a conventional mold or adhering to expectations based on age or experience. Rather, it’s about having a vision, acting on what you believe is right, and creating value for those around you. Hearing that my actions and words have motivated others and seeing their projects grow over time is one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership. It’s less about being a conventional leader and more about making a meaningful and positive difference in people’s lives.
5. How does your role within the Water Revolution Foundation as a signatory impact you and your work at HY-Plug, and give you additional responsibilities?
I signed with the Water Revolution Foundation in 2021, at a very early stage of my business. One of the highlights of this partnership took place in September 2022, during the Monaco Yacht Show. The foundation was tasked with assessing the life cycle of various companies participating in the show. As I was already a signatory, I was able to facilitate communication between the show organizers and the foundation. I helped translate their life cycle assessment requirements and clarified what was realistic and what could be considered greenwashing.
Being a signatory has allowed me to build valuable relationships and smooth out some difficulties. For example, when the Yacht Show needed to bring certain companies on board, I was able to use my connections to resolve issues quickly. When there were difficulties or misunderstandings, I was able to step in, make phone calls and get things moving.
6. Have you had mentors who guided you at important moments in your career? If so, could you tell us about the importance of mentoring?
I have had various experiences with mentoring and incubation programs, and I find that there are two perspectives on the issue. There is the conventional perspective and my personal approach, which is not always the most traditional. From a formal perspective, I have found that some of the mentoring and incubation programs I have participated in have not always met my expectations. For example, I have often wondered how someone who has not started a business could give useful advice on starting a company. It seemed to me that these mentors sometimes lacked practical, real-world experience, which limited their ability to provide useful advice.
One of my mentors suggested to me that my day rates were too low, given that my company was only a year old. He was about 55 years old and compared his day rate ($3,000) to mine ($500 at the time). So I told him frankly that I hoped to make much more than he would at his age when I reached that milestone. So I told him frankly that I hoped to make much more than he would at his age when I reached that milestone. My view was that given the disruptive nature of my work and the current state of the industry, it would not be competitive to price at his level. Instead, I sought to create value and credibility first, which ultimately allowed me to command higher rates. I have found that the real value in mentoring often lies in engaging with professionals who have substantial experience in fields that are relevant to yours. For example, I once spoke with a woman who had a remarkable career in the marine and yachting industries. Despite her small business, she had an impressive network and deep knowledge of the industry. Her perspective was invaluable because she understood the nuances of the industry and didn’t focus on irrelevant details like social media aesthetics.
What I have learned from these experiences is that effective mentoring needs to come from those who have been on the same path as you. They need to offer practical advice based on their own experience rather than theoretical or general advice. In my role as a mentor, I strive to provide practical advice and insights based on my own experience, and I avoid giving advice in areas that are outside of my expertise. Mentoring is most beneficial when it is practical, relevant, and based on real-world experience. This is what I look for in mentors and what I strive to provide as a mentor myself.
7. Share one thing you think is essential for someone to succeed in their startup.
I would say resilience is one of my main characteristics, and it comes largely from my experience riding horses, which I started almost 20 years ago. Back then, my instructors had a very direct approach: if you weren’t seriously injured enough to go to the hospital, you got back on the horse and finished the exercise. This tough love taught me to overcome challenges and failures, no matter how small. Similarly, I learned resilience from my dance teachers, who had high standards and expected perfection, with often little tolerance for complaints.
This type of rigorous coaching may not be the ideal way for everyone to learn, but it has instilled in me a deep sense of perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles. This mindset has translated into my professional life. When faced with obstacles, I don’t give up easily. If I’m trying to reach out to someone important and I encounter obstacles, like a guard blocking my path, I persist. If reaching out to the assistant doesn’t work, I’ll try to reach out to other departments or even the CEO directly if necessary. My approach is to push through the obstacles until I reach my goal, always remaining respectful and professional.
Even when faced with resistance, I maintain a high level of courtesy and formality in my communications. This strategy has proven effective, especially when dealing with older clients or stakeholders, who may not expect a younger professional to have the knowledge and determination that I bring. By being persistent and polite, I often find that I am able to secure the meetings or opportunities I want.
So my advice would be to always be resilient and persistent. If you encounter obstacles, don’t get discouraged. Push through, stay respectful, and keep trying until you reach your goal. This approach has served me well and helps me turn challenges into opportunities for success.
8. What initiatives is your company taking to combat climate change and what are your views on how maritime companies can reduce their carbon footprint?
One of the simplest solutions for decarbonization is currently biofuels. In Western Europe, for example, biofuels such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils) are relatively affordable compared to other regions, such as the United States. HVO, which is derived from treated vegetable oils, can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90%. It is a viable option because it uses waste rather than food crops, avoiding the diversion of food resources to fuel production. In addition to HVO, we are also seeing developments in the field of waste-to-liquid (WTL) fuels. This technology is particularly promising for regions with significant waste management challenges, such as parts of North Africa and India. By converting waste into fuel on-site, these regions can both manage waste and produce a usable energy source. However, when we look at other energy solutions such as hydrogen and methanol, the situation becomes more complex. Hydrogen, while offering a clean energy source, poses production and transportation challenges.
Green hydrogen, for example, is only as clean as the energy used to produce it. The process can result in CO2 emissions, and transporting hydrogen poses logistical challenges and is energy intensive. Methanol, used to store and transport hydrogen, is more practical, but it poses its own challenges, including corrosiveness and safety. Adopting these new technologies is often difficult because of the high costs and technical complexities involved. For example, I have observed that while some organizations and governments are keen to invest in these solutions, they often lack a deep understanding of the underlying science and practice. This lack of knowledge can lead to ineffective investments and missed opportunities.
I have participated in training sessions to help fill this gap, providing clear explanations and practical insights into these technologies. Despite my efforts and national certifications, it is frustrating to see that many individuals and organizations are still not taking advantage of these opportunities, often citing high costs as a barrier.
While biofuels such as HVO and WTL offer promising pathways for immediate decarbonization, hydrogen and methanol present more complex challenges. Effective implementation requires not only technological innovation, but also a deep understanding of the science and logistics involved.
9. Besides biomethanol and hydrogen, are there other fuels you are investigating? How do they compare to diesel in terms of efficiency?
One brand is currently leading the way in hydrogen fuel cells, with an efficiency of 60%. They achieved this through a unique design, incorporating a 230-kilowatt fuel cell on a seven-metre boat, alongside 160-kilowatt batteries. This configuration provides significant power relative to the size of the boat and allows for direct and efficient use of the fuel cell. In contrast, most other brands use 80-kilowatt fuel cells, meaning they rely more on the energy stored in the batteries than on direct use of the fuel cell.
The efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells varies considerably, with most suppliers currently offering efficiencies of between 30 and 40%. This efficiency is comparable to that of conventional petrol engines, so there is much debate as to whether it is worth investing in fuel cells given this level of efficiency. In addition, the industry is heavily lobbyed, so it is essential to verify claims with real data from installed and tested systems.
Biofuels have a different set of benefits. From a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective, biofuels are very efficient because they do not require major changes to existing systems for HVO. All that is required is a fuel change, which is the least disruptive change. The overall environmental impact is lower compared to developing new components such as batteries, fuel cells or electric propulsion systems. Biofuels also have practical benefits, such as reduced engine and filter wear compared to conventional fossil fuels, although the efficiency gains are relatively modest and do not impact range or speed. For existing systems, biofuels are currently the fastest and easiest way to decarbonise operations with minimal impact.
In the future, fuel cells and advanced technologies could offer better long-term solutions. However, internal combustion engines (ICEs) are not giving up and changes are being developed with H2/GO dual-fuel. For example, fuel cell design and battery technology are undergoing advances that could improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. However, at present, biofuels remain the most practical option for immediate decarbonization with the least disruption to existing systems.
Conclusion :
Camille Lopez’s story is a testament to the impact of combining personal passion and professional drive. From her early days sailing in Six Fours les Plages to founding HY-Plug, Camille has met challenges with resilience and innovation. Her focus on sustainable maritime energy solutions and hands-on mentorship demonstrate how dedication to environmental progress can transform industries and inspire future leaders.”
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