What Brought a Texan to Iceland? Lucian’s Energy Story

What brings someone from Houston, Texas, to a small island in the North Atlantic? For Lucian Bennett-Brandt, it wasn't just Iceland's volcanoes, geothermal pools, or northern lights. It was an opportunity to explore how the Earth's natural resources could help address some of the world's energy and climate challenges.

Growing up in Houston, Lucian experienced hurricanes, flooding, and power outages. These events helped shape his interest in climate change and the relationship between energy, the environment, and the communities that depend on them.

Years later, that interest brought him to the Iceland School of Energy (ISE) at Reykjavík University to pursue an MSc in Sustainable Energy Science.

A Texan Finds His Way to Iceland

Before moving to Iceland, Lucian studied Environmental Sciences, with a focus on Earth Science, at Rice University in Houston.

His interest in renewable energy developed through professional experiences at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and a geothermal startup in Salt Lake City. As he learned more about the geothermal industry, conversations with professionals in the field eventually introduced him to Iceland and ISE.

For someone interested in geology and energy, Iceland offered a chance to study in a country where geothermal resources are part of everyday life.

But studying abroad also meant discovering a new country, meeting people from different backgrounds, and experiencing a way of life very different from Texas.

Turning Carbon into Stone

One of the opportunities Lucian discovered during his studies came through a connection with an ISE graduate working at Carbfix.

After learning about the company's approach to carbon storage, Lucian pursued an internship that allowed him to apply his knowledge of Earth science to a real climate technology.

Carbfix works with a process called carbon mineralisation. Carbon dioxide is dissolved in water and injected into suitable underground rock formations, where it reacts with minerals and becomes permanently stored as stone.

For Lucian, the internship was an opportunity to work alongside scientists and engineers and see how concepts studied in the classroom are applied in practice.

His experience also demonstrated how connections made through university can lead to opportunities in Iceland's energy industry.

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Life Beyond the Classroom

Of course, moving to Iceland involved more than studying energy.

Shortly after arriving, Lucian witnessed a volcanic eruption near Reykjavík, a memorable experience for someone with a background in Earth science.

Outside university, he explored geothermal pools, searched for the northern lights, and discovered Iceland's landscapes. He also worked as a bartender in Reykjavík, getting to know the city and its people beyond the university.

These experiences gave Lucian the chance to build a life in Iceland while developing his academic and professional interests.

Where Curiosity Can Take You

Lucian's interest in energy began with the environmental and energy challenges he experienced growing up in Texas. Through his studies and work in Iceland, he found opportunities to explore possible solutions, from geothermal energy to underground carbon storage.

His journey shows how a background in Earth science can lead to unexpected places, new professional connections, and practical work on energy and climate challenges.

And for a Texan who came to Iceland to study the Earth, there was plenty to discover both above and below the surface.