In addition to these principles, constant attention is paid to the clarity of content, consideration of the international dimensions of the topics covered, and regular updating of themes and their prioritization - all benchmarks that have guided editorial work since the beginning.
🚀 Born in a Time of Transformation
The history of Planète Energies began in the early 2000s. Against a backdrop of industrial transformation (the merger of Total, Fina, and Elf), the Total group launched the exhibition “Oil, New Challenges” at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris in 2004. The success of this exhibition, particularly among schoolchildren and the French Ministry of Education, sparked a powerful idea: to sustain this educational approach through a dedicated program.
This is how Planète Energies came into being, spearheaded by Franklin Boitier, a geological engineer at Total who was convinced of the importance of explaining energy issues to younger generations. In 2005, a bilingual website (French/English) was launched, accompanied by a traveling exhibition and presentations in schools. Planète Energies was a trailblazer in this field: “It was a pioneering initiative in the energy sector, offering a program specifically for students and teachers” recalls its founder. The goal was clear: to explain the world of energy in all its dimensions in a simple, rigorous, and accessible way.
🔄 Evolving with Emerging Challenges
Planète Energies has constantly evolved to keep pace with the expectations of its audiences and changes in the energy sector. The first major change came at the end of the 2000s, with a broadened scope: moving beyond fossil fuels, the program now includes renewable energies, uses, consumption, and above all, climate issues.
In 2013, the site underwent its first major overhaul. It became more interactive and visual, and opened up to new formats: videos, quizzes, expert forums, and thematic dossiers. A multidisciplinary editorial board was set up, bringing together scientists, teachers, industry professionals, and representatives of public institutions. Their comments and suggestions have greatly contributed to the development of content and ensured its relevance. This inclusive governance reflects the spirit of openness and collaborative development that now drives Planète Energies.
🎓 A Refined Audience: Teachers and their Students
While the first few years saw several audiences coexist (high school students, the general public, international audiences), experience has shown that the greatest impact occurs in the classroom. Planète Energies is therefore gradually refocusing its efforts on teachers and their students, from elementary school to high school. Partnerships have been formed with educational publishers and youth press outlets such as Nathan and PlayBac, institutions such as the Union des Professeurs de Physique-Chimie (UdPPC), and regional academies. Educational tools are being developed in line with the French National Education programs.
The approach is also evolving: quizzes, games, contests, and immersive videos enrich the experience. It’s not so much that young people have changed, but rather that our offering has diversified to respond to their desire to take action, experiment, and participate. Inspiration from initiatives such as La Main à la Pâte (LAMAP) is welcomed. The idea is to make students active participants in their own learning by involving them in concrete, collaborative projects that are rooted in their everyday lives.
🌍 A Global Perspective
From the outset, Planète Energies has had an international focus. Exhibitions have been organized in China, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Competitions have been launched in schools in Abu Dhabi. An Arabic-language version of the website was even considered. This openness to the world reflects the fact that energy issues are global, and that education is a universal lever for preparing the citizens of tomorrow.
While this international dimension remains part of our editorial policy today - particularly through our English-language website - the integration of the program into the TotalEnergies Foundation, which is mainly based in France, has naturally refocused our actions on teachers and their students in France.
🔮 Looking Ahead: A Vision for the Future
In 2023, a new redesign of the site marks a turning point. Developed in consultation with teachers and students, it responds to their expectations as expressed in a study conducted with Opinion Way.
Ergonomics, design, and personalization of learning paths: everything has been redesigned to facilitate access to resources and strengthen their link to school programs.
The website has become a real hub for digital resources and on-the-ground initiatives: classroom conferences, downloadable resources, a private area for teachers and students, and new partnerships with the CGénial Foundation and the UPSTI (Union of Industrial Science and Technology Teachers) around science competitions. The integration of the “Total Solar Expert” program into Planète Energies has enriched the content on solar energy and the , while a section dedicated to energy careers offers tangible career prospects for young people.
Today, Planète Energies is more than ever aimed at teachers and their students. The inclusion of new teachers on the Editorial Board embodies this desire to work together with the French National Education system, in line with programs, teaching practices, and expectations in the field.
🎉 Celebrating 20 Years of Dedication
Celebrating 20 years of Planète Energies means acknowledging the work of all those who have contributed to this adventure. It also means reaffirming our commitment to continue building together over the next 20 years with the same standards of rigor, openness, education, and energy.
