Passionate about closing the gap through CCUS capabilities

Meet Luke, as he shares how Ramboll supports owners and developers plan and implement carbon capture, utilisation and storage.

Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) is a key strategy in the journey to decarbonise and achieve net zero. This technology captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes, power generation, and other sources, preventing CO2 from entering the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is either safely stored underground or utilised to create low-carbon fuels. To make these projects successful, experts must have in-depth knowledge of capturing carbon, finding safe storage solutions, and repurposing it effectively.

Meet Luke Holt, Head of the Energy-from-Waste and Carbon Capture Department for the APAC region at Ramboll. Luke leads innovative projects that bring substantial environmental and social benefits.

Q: How did your career journey lead you to your current role at Ramboll?

Luke: Sustainable design has evolved significantly since I started my career. My journey began with decarbonisation assessments, helping energy businesses reduce their carbon footprints. Back then, convincing businesses to invest in emission reductions was challenging. My role was not only technical but also involved demonstrating the environmental and commercial benefits of sustainability.

Throughout my career, I’ve chosen projects that contribute to a sustainable future. Sustainability has always been a core value for me as a professional engineer. When Ramboll approached me, it felt like a natural progression. I’m motivated by the impact our projects have on society and our progress towards a sustainable future for generations to come.

Q: Can you share a project you worked on that has helped create a more sustainable future?

Luke: One standout project is the Kwinana waste-to-energy plant, expected to be operational later this year. Australia produces over 70 million tonnes of waste annually, with about 40% ending up in landfills. The Kwinana facility, located south of Perth, Western Australia, will divert waste from landfills while generating power for the local community.

As the first large-scale facility of its kind in Australia, it will process 460,000 tonnes of waste annually and produce 38MW of electricity, enough to power up to 58,000 homes. As technical advisor and Owner’s Engineer, we oversee process technology and environmental permitting. I’m proud to support Western Australia in achieving its waste management and green energy goals, aligning with Kwinana’s Strategic Community Plan and Sustainability Framework. To read more about the project, click here.

Q: What is the CCUS advantage and why is there a need to invest in CCUS?

Luke: CCUS is crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate emission sources. It significantly reduces direct CO2 emissions from the industrial sector, which accounts for one-quarter of global CO2 emissions.

Businesses are already feeling the impacts of climate change. To meet zero carbon targets and remain successful in a climate-impacted world, businesses must adapt now. CCUS is part of the solution, enabling the elimination of sector emissions and contributing to negative emissions or providing biogenic carbon for Power-to-X solutions. With a growing portfolio of successful projects, Ramboll is a leading advisor in this fast-growing industry.

Q: How do you see Ramboll’s experiences in carbon capture from European countries being transferred and adapted to the Australian context?

Luke: Achieving net zero requires leveraging global lessons learned in CCUS. Ramboll is a pioneer in recognizing the pivotal role of CCUS in addressing climate change. We’ve conducted over a hundred studies globally, from pre-feasibility to FEED stage, for hard-to-abate and energy sectors. In Asia Pacific, we’ve supported the region’s first-mover waste-to-energy facilities.

Our APAC team combines international expertise with local market knowledge, applying insights from Ramboll’s leading CCUS projects, such as Amager Bakke and Greensand, Europe’s largest carbon capture and storage project.

Q: How would you summarise your experience with Ramboll with three key words?

Luke: Trust, growth, and diversity. I trust my team and believe in their potential. My management style is hands-off, allowing team members to learn and flourish. Ramboll supports innovative ideas and diverse project exposure, fostering growth.

Our team includes engineers from ten countries, bringing diverse perspectives to solve technical problems. Ramboll embraces diversity, creating an inclusive culture where everyone thrives. I’m proud to work at Ramboll, where people feel at home and flourish.

To learn more about Ramboll’s CCUS capabilities, visit our CCUS page.