Dr Edris Joonaki

Winner: 2024 Rising Star in Industry Prize

TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory

For significant technical leadership and contributions to the delivery of UK-government funded hydrogen and carbon capture and storage projects for net-zero.

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I love the fact that I can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for our planet.

Dr Edris Joonaki is a consultant in the energy industry. His expertise is in flow assurance and thermodynamics, which involve understanding the physical properties of energy resources so they flow to where they’re needed and accurately measuring the amount that’s flowing. Users can then work out usage and be charged the correct amount on their bill.

In his technical role at TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory, Edris works on the decarbonisation of the oil and gas industry, including carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the hydrogen economy. The company is the UK National Standard holder of flow measurements and Edris’ job is to ensure its clients’ equipment delivers similar high standards of accuracy. He works on many interesting projects, looking at the behaviour of hydrogen and CO₂ when they are transported or stored.

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Following his James Watt doctoral scholarship at Heriot-Watt University, Dr Edris Joonaki conducted his PhD research studies at the Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering (IGE). Edris is currently Technical Lead of a variety of UK Government/DSIT-funded projects, as well as consultancy projects in the areas of thermodynamics of carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) and natural gas/hydrogen economy systems with world-leading expertise in these fields.

Edris has an early-career track record of research and technology development excellence attained in both academic and commercial settings. This includes a strong background in international collaborations. He has provided consultancy to various major energy operators, working on real industry challenges. Due to the nature of these projects, he has experience in various aspects of engineering, from desk-based modelling studies to pilot testing in the field.

Edris is the 2022 winner of the Young Emerging Talent Award (Subsea UK), and the 2023 winner of the RSC Statistical Mechanics & Thermodynamics Group's Early Career Award.

Q&A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

My favourite subjects at school were chemistry, maths, physics, and I knew I wanted to work in these areas when I left school. When I was 14 years old, I took a tough entrance exam and got a high school place studying chemistry, maths and physics on a programme for developing exceptional talent. At high-school, I became so interested in learning chemistry and particularly organic chemistry in a much more fundamental way. I always took A-levels in chemistry and decided to study petroleum engineering at the Petroleum University of Technology (PUT), one of the best petroleum engineering universities in Iran.

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

Throughout my formative career, I have had the privilege of being guided by a series of remarkable supervisors and mentors. Particularly noteworthy were the individuals I encountered during my industrial placement, whose guidance and expertise significantly enriched my professional development within a relatively brief timeframe. Their unwavering support and encouragement instilled in me a deep sense of motivation and determination to pursue my career aspirations further. Additionally, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my very nice PhD supervisor, Professor Bahman Tohidi. The invaluable experience of working under his tutelage has been truly transformative, offering me unparalleled insights and opportunities for growth within his respective research group.

What motivates you?

The hydrogen economy and CCS are growing so fast! I’ve transferred the knowledge and skills I developed in oil and gas engineering and am now using them in new energy transition projects like industrial decarbonisation, clean fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions – so I know I’m having a direct, positive influence on tackling the challenges of climate change, and I’m helping to boost the transition to a more sustainable world. I love the fact that I can contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for our planet. Moreover, I really enjoy helping young people to find out about possible careers and training them in their early careers in the energy industry.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

I voluntarily promote many MSc/PhD students outside the organisation through my work with universities in the UK, including the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), leading the students’ route to be future professionals and further engaging them in the UK’s energy sector. I was also involved in bp’s Education Platform–Energising Futures in partnership with ‘We are Futures’, aimed at inspiring the high school students in the UK and worldwide as the next generation. I will do my best to continue to be proactive in training and educating young people in their early careers in the industry. My advice to young students is always that the industry provides an opportunity for them to repurpose their chemistry skillsets and knowledge to help facilitate emerging energy transition strategies. The application of these chemistry skills to new green and clean projects will have a direct, positive influence on tackling climate change.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

When I decided to move to Scotland to study a PhD in Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, I loved the opportunity to continue my studying abroad – to see different cultures and experience different educational and working environments. Through this, I am privileged to be contributing to helping the UK achieve net zero by 2050 and am excited to see what the future holds.

During my time at Heriot-Watt University, I had the opportunity to publish a number of high-impact academic journal articles, as well as conduct ground-breaking research, winning numerous awards and recognitions in the UK and globally.