Lucian Bennett-Brandt

Growing Up in The Crossroads of Climate and Energy

Lucian Bennett-Brandt never set out to move to Iceland. But sometimes, the right path isn’t obvious until you’ve taken a few steps down it. Growing up in Houston, Texas, a place synonymous with the oil industry, he saw firsthand how extreme weather could disrupt lives. Hurricanes, floods, and power outages weren’t just inconveniences; they were warnings of what climate change could bring on a larger scale to communities around the world. That reality pushed him toward sustainability, not as a trendy career choice, but as a field where he could make a real difference.

At Rice University, he studied Environmental Sciences with a focus on Earth Science, fascinated by how natural systems shape the planet. But he wasn’t just interested in theory, he wanted to apply it. An internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) gave him a taste of the renewable energy sector, and later, working at a geothermal startup in Salt Lake City, he saw the potential of geothermal energy up close. It wasn’t just an idea used in school projects, it was practical, scalable solution that could address global energy challenges.

As he spoke with others in the industry, one place kept coming up: Iceland. Conversations with alumni from the Iceland School of Energy (ISE) painted a convincing picture. Here was a program where students didn’t just study sustainable energy, they worked on it and lived it. The chance to be in a country powered almost entirely by renewables made his decision clear. He applied, and shortly after, he was on a flight to Iceland to begin a two-year master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Science.

Turning CO₂ Into Stone

Even before arriving in Iceland, Lucian was deeply interested in carbon capture and sequestration, one of the leading solutions for reducing carbon emissions. The Icelandic-based company Carbfix is a pioneer in carbon mineralization, turning CO₂ into solid rock underground, a real, scalable way to store emissions permanently. When Benjamin Smith, an ISE alumnus and Reservoir Engineer at Carbfix, gave a lecture about his work, Lucian knew he had to get involved. One conversation led to another, and soon, he had secured an internship with Carbfix for the spring semester. Now, he’s part of one of the most advanced carbon capture projects in the world. He works alongside scientists and engineers tackling the challenges of this innovative technology. What once seemed like an ambitious idea is now his daily reality here in Iceland.

Living in Iceland

Outside of the classroom and internship, Lucian has embraced life in Iceland. Wanting to make the most of his time, he bought a used car to venture beyond Reykjavík. Shortly after arriving, he witnessed a volcanic eruption just outside the city, standing at the roadside for hours, mesmerized by its power and beauty as the sky glowed red and lava shot into the air. That moment set the tone for his experience here in Iceland, one of discovery and deep appreciation for Iceland’s uniqueness, and place that now feels like home.

His weekends are spent exploring geothermal pools in the countryside, and winter nights are dedicated to chasing the northern lights even if the best view is sometimes right outside his front door. When he isn't adventuring or completing his homework, Lucian is found downtown bartending. He finds Reykjavik to be a small yet lively city which offers both an international atmosphere and a strong sense of local community. Whether at ISE or in the city, he quickly discovered that making connections in Iceland came naturally.

So What Comes Next?

We asked Lucian what’s next, and even he isn’t entirely sure. With so many experiences behind him and new opportunities constantly appearing, the future feels wide open. What he does know is that he’ll continue working in geothermal energy and carbon sequestration, whether in Iceland or elsewhere. The goal remains the same, to develop real-world solutions that create a lasting global impact.

For Lucian, sustainability isn’t about distant targets or futuristic technologies. It’s about what can be done today. It’s about taking knowledge and putting it to work. And sometimes, the best opportunities are the ones you don’t see coming until you take the first step.