Website: [8rivers.com](https://8rivers.com) ### Introduction 8 Rivers Capital, LLC, founded in 2008, is a clean energy and climate technology company headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The company was established by a team of innovators, including Bill Brown and Miles Palmer, with a mission to pioneer infrastructure-scale technologies that drastically reduce or eliminate CO2 emissions, driving the global energy industry toward achieving net zero. While exact employee counts are not publicly disclosed in the latest available data, 8 Rivers describes itself as a growing, world-class team of engineering and business experts, as noted on their [LinkedIn profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/8-rivers-capital). As a private company, 8 Rivers does not have a publicly traded ticker symbol. The firm focuses on developing transformative energy systems that are clean, reliable, and scalable, with a particular emphasis on oxy-combustion and ultra-low carbon intensity processes. Their work spans multiple sectors, including natural gas-based power generation and direct air capture (DAC), positioning them as a key player in the clean energy transition. ### Key Products and Technology 8 Rivers Capital is known for its innovative approaches to clean energy, particularly in natural gas utilization and carbon capture. Below are their major technologies relevant to the natural gas category: - **[[NetPower|NET Power]] Technology (Oxy-Combustion Power Generation)** - **Type**: Advanced power generation system using the Allam-Fetvedt Cycle. - **Technical Specifications**: Capable of producing electricity with near-zero emissions; a typical plant targets 300 MWe output with high efficiency due to its supercritical CO2 cycle. - **Fuel Type**: Natural gas, with oxygen instead of air for combustion to produce a high-purity CO2 stream for capture. - **Key Differentiators**: Achieves zero-emission electricity from natural gas by capturing all CO2 produced, which can be sequestered or utilized; cost-competitive with traditional natural gas plants due to revenue from CO2 byproducts. - **Development Stage**: Operational; a demonstration plant in La Porte, Texas, has been running since 2018, with commercial projects in planning. - **Target Customers**: Utilities, industrial sectors, and government entities seeking decarbonized power generation. - **8RH2 Technology (Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production)** - **Type**: Hydrogen production system integrated with carbon capture. - **Technical Specifications**: Produces hydrogen from natural gas with integrated CO2 capture, though specific output or efficiency metrics are not widely publicized. - **Fuel Type**: Natural gas. - **Key Differentiators**: Reduces carbon footprint of hydrogen production, making it suitable for clean energy applications; leverages oxy-combustion principles. - **Development Stage**: Under development; pre-commercial phase with pilot projects in planning. - **Target Customers**: Industrial users, energy companies, and government programs focused on hydrogen economy development. ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Since 8 Rivers’ technologies primarily focus on natural gas and carbon capture rather than nuclear energy, they do not require Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversight or licensing. Instead, their regulatory interactions are centered around environmental permits, carbon capture and sequestration approvals, and compliance with state and [[Federal|federal]] energy regulations. For instance, [[NetPower|NET Power]] projects must secure permits for CO2 sequestration under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or state equivalents. Key regulatory milestones include the successful operation of the NET Power demonstration plant in Texas since 2018, which validated the technology’s compliance with emission standards. Upcoming milestones likely involve securing permits for commercial-scale NET Power plants, with projects announced in various U.S. locations. The estimated timeline for first commercial deployment of NET Power is within the next 2-5 years, with several projects targeting operational status by the late 2020s, as inferred from company announcements on [8rivers.com](https://8rivers.com). Specific regulatory timelines for hydrogen projects like 8RH2 are less documented in public sources. ### Team and Leadership 8 Rivers Capital boasts a team of experienced professionals in energy technology and business development. Key leadership includes: - **Bill Brown (CEO and Co-Founder)**: A veteran in technology innovation with a background in intellectual property and energy systems, Brown leads the strategic vision of 8 Rivers. - **Miles Palmer (Co-Founder)**: Palmer contributes to the company’s technological advancements and project execution, with expertise in engineering and clean energy solutions. - **Damian Beauchamp (President and Chief Development Officer)**: Beauchamp oversees business development and project delivery, bringing experience in scaling innovative energy technologies. Unfortunately, verified X handles for these individuals are not publicly available in the latest data, so social media links are omitted. ### Funding and Financial Position 8 Rivers Capital has secured significant investments to support its technology development and project deployment. One of the most recent funding events includes an investment from JX Nippon Oil Exploration Limited in September 2024 for the company’s direct air capture technology, though the exact amount was not disclosed in public reports [Carbon Capture Magazine](https://carboncapturemagazine.com/articles/8-rivers-secures-investment-from-jx-nippon-for-dac-technology). Historical funding details are limited in public sources, but the company is backed by strategic investors with interests in clean energy. As a private entity, 8 Rivers does not disclose market cap or stock performance. Key institutional backers include partnerships with industry players like JX Nippon and earlier collaborations with entities like the Southern Ute Growth Fund. The company remains in a pre-revenue or early-revenue stage for most projects, with the NET Power demonstration plant operational but commercial-scale revenue generation still in development, as per updates on [8rivers.com](https://8rivers.com). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Jan 6, 2025 | 2024 Year in Review Published | 8 Rivers highlighted continued collaboration with industry players to scale clean energy transition [8rivers.com](https://8rivers.com/8-rivers-2024-year-in-review/). | | Sep 18, 2024 | Investment from JX Nippon | Secured funding from JX Nippon for DAC technology development [Carbon Capture Magazine](https://carboncapturemagazine.com/articles/8-rivers-secures-investment-from-jx-nippon-for-dac-technology). | | Apr 11, 2024 | LinkedIn Update on Growth | Noted as a growing team focused on net-zero technologies [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/8-rivers-capital). | | Dec 18, 2023 | Technology Milestone Update | Continued validation and scaling efforts for clean energy systems reported [8rivers.com](https://8rivers.com/). | | May 9, 2023 | 15th Anniversary Reflection | Celebrated 15 years of innovation in climate technologies [8rivers.com](https://8rivers.com/15th-anniversary-8rivers/). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Southern Ute Growth Fund (Joint Development, 2021)**: Partnered to develop a zero-emission NET Power plant, enhancing access to tribal resources and community engagement in clean energy projects [Southern Ute](https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/2021/04/15/for-immediate-release-8-rivers-capital-and-the-southern-ute-growth-fund-announce-joint-development-of-zero-emissions-net-power-plan/). - **JX Nippon Oil Exploration Limited (Investment, 2024)**: Investment in DAC technology, providing financial and strategic support to scale carbon capture solutions globally. - **Constellation Clean Energy (Technology Support, Historical)**: Collaborated with Constellation on NET Power, validating zero-emission natural gas technology, as noted in historical posts on X. These partnerships underscore 8 Rivers’ strategy to align with both financial backers and operational partners to accelerate technology deployment. ### New Hampshire Relevance 8 Rivers Capital’s technologies, particularly NET Power, could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], given the state’s interest in clean energy and grid reliability. The proximity to existing infrastructure like [[Seabrook Station]] (a nuclear facility) and the ISO-NE grid could facilitate integration of NET Power plants for decarbonized baseload power. The technology’s readiness, with an operational demonstration plant since 2018, aligns with potential NH deployment timelines within the next 5-10 years, especially if state policies accelerate clean energy adoption. Legislative initiatives like HB 710, which may support advanced energy systems, could provide a favorable environment for 8 Rivers’ natural gas-based solutions with carbon capture. Potential applications include grid power to support ISO-NE, data center loads in the region, and industrial heat for local manufacturing. While there is no specific evidence of NH connections or expressed interest in the Northeast US in current data, the scalability and environmental benefits of NET Power could appeal to regional energy planners seeking alternatives to traditional fossil fuel plants. ### Competitive Position 8 Rivers Capital competes in the clean energy space with companies like [[Carbon Engineering]] (focused on DAC), Climeworks (another DAC leader), and traditional natural gas technology providers like [[GE Vernova Gas Power|GE Vernova]]. Compared to [[Carbon Engineering]] and Climeworks, 8 Rivers differentiates itself by integrating carbon capture directly with power generation through NET Power, offering a dual benefit of energy production and CO2 management. Against [[GE Vernova Gas Power|GE Vernova]], 8 Rivers’ oxy-combustion approach provides a unique zero-emission advantage, though it faces risks related to scaling commercial projects and securing long-term CO2 sequestration sites. The primary challenge remains the high capital cost of first-of-a-kind plants, which could slow adoption compared to more established competitors. ### Closing Note 8 Rivers Capital is at a pivotal stage with operational demonstration projects and a clear trajectory toward commercializing net-zero natural gas technologies, promising a significant role in the clean energy future. *Report generated December 24, 2025*