Dr Hooman Haghighi is the Director of Decarbonisation Solutions, Digital Consulting at Wood. Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, working to design, optimise and decarbonise industrial assets across a range of markets. Dr Haghighi’s background is in the global energy transition, working across key projects in Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) design and operations as well as developing industry guidelines and writing for academic journals.
“The energy sector is an ideal place for those who dream big and possess ambitious goals, with so many valuable opportunities for learning, development and personal growth.”
My journey into the energy industry is rooted in my childhood. When I was at school in Iran, my favourite subjects were mathematics and physics. However, I also had a deep interest in history and culture, fascinated by how this shapes the world we live in today. As I grew up, it felt natural to pursue my passions with an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering. When I later had the chance to move to Edinburgh to undertake a PhD in petroleum engineering, I leapt at the opportunity to fully immerse myself in a new culture while continuing my studies.
Following a move to Scotland, my career began working for research organisations and universities in Edinburgh, specifically in the exploration of Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) within the oil and gas sector. This work provided me with insights into the complexities of these processes and opened my eyes to the fast evolution of the industry.
I later relocated to Aberdeen to join Wood and after a few years of supporting oil and gas projects, I moved to a new role as the Global Energy Transition Manager, tasked with growing our team and supporting the industry through change. I’ve had the opportunity to work on many impactful industrial projects worldwide including oil spill response, oil and gas field developments, CCUS, and hydrogen transport and storage. Each of these experiences challenged me to engage with key environmental issues and I’m proud to have contributed to the industry’s evolution.
I am now the Global Director of Decarbonisation, Digital Solutions, focused on driving digital transformation within the energy sector. I am responsible for defining and applying digital solutions, as well as identifying opportunities for our clients to reach their net zero goals.
Although digital transformation has progressed significantly since the late 1990s, it is only in recent years that the industrial and energy sectors have started to embrace this change – with the advancement of digital twin technology. This technology enhances efficiencies throughout the full lifecycle of assets, from design and construction to operational phases. It plays a significant role in our energy transition journey, acting as both an enabler and an accelerator in achieving net zero emissions.
The future of the energy industry is bright. Our oil and gas heritage can play a pivotal role in the energy transition journey, particularly in the UK where we are fortunate to have access to a wide range of specialists holding vital expertise. Our region’s access to alternative energy sources and renewables, like wind, solar, and tidal power, puts us in a prime location for investment.
To achieve our ambitious net-zero targets, we can expect to see a greater focus on a diverse range of energy vectors, encouraging innovation and progress within the sector. The momentum for change continues to grow worldwide as nations and industries collectively focus on more sustainable energy solutions.
To anyone looking to break into the energy industry, my advice is to tap into the variety of opportunities from both the traditional and new energy markets. By combining our knowledge from across these areas, we can drive the future of the industry and accelerate our transition to net zero.
For more information on Wood visit: https://www.woodplc.com/
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