NEG8 Carbon: Pioneering Carbon Removal in Ireland
NEG8 Carbon, an innovative Irish company, is on a mission to combat climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Aiming to capture 100 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2050, NEG8 Carbon has already achieved a significant milestone by launching Ireland’s first operational direct air capture (DAC) system in 2023. The company is set to manufacture and test a large-scale pilot throughout 2024, marking a crucial step towards its ambitious goals.
Ray Naughton, Founder & Managing Director of NEG8 Carbon, emphasises the critical nature of their work:
“The urgency to address climate change has never been more critical. With governments and corporations worldwide committing to net-zero targets, the demand for effective and innovative carbon removal solutions is rapidly increasing.
NEG8 Carbon is uniquely positioned to meet this demand and scale globally. Our future vision is to develop large-scale Direct Air Capture parks, scaling to capture millions of tonnes of CO2 and driving towards a sustainable planet.”
Strategic Partnerships
Deep Sky Partnership to Deploy Pilot in Canada
NEG8 Carbon has partnered with Deep Sky, a global leader in carbon removal based in Montreal, to deploy its patented carbon capture technology at their pilot site in Canada. This collaboration will see NEG8 Carbon deliver and install a system capable of removing over 300 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere annually.
To put this into perspective, that’s equivalent to the emissions of a full flight carrying 286 passengers from London to New York or the CO2 absorbed by 13,000 trees in an area of just 300 square feet.
NEG8 Carbon was selected for this partnership following an extensive worldwide search. Together, these partners aim to validate the technology for large-scale commercial deployment.
Walton Institute Partnership for AI Integration
In another leap forward, NEG8 Carbon has announced a partnership with The Walton Institute for a two-year AI project aimed at using machine learning to monitor and optimise the system for large-scale deployment of Direct Air Capture (DAC) farms. This innovative project will focus on refining carbon capture and release cycles by leveraging predictive machine learning to analyse data on climatic conditions, energy prices, and internal system conditions.
Dr. John Breen, Chief Technology Officer of NEG8 Carbon, explains:
“The project with Walton Institute will look at optimal carbon capture release and regenerate cycles using predictive machine learning to monitor the data on climatic conditions, energy prices, and internal system conditions.
The key to scaling up our technology is energy efficiency. Several external factors, including air temperature, humidity, the condition of the sorbent material, and the type, cost, and availability of renewable energy, influence the efficiency of the DAC system.”
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Industry Awards
In May 2024, NEG8 Carbon was honoured as one of the successful recipients of funding through the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Industry Awards RD&I Fellowship Programme.
This funding supports a collaboration with the University of Limerick, facilitating the placement of Sorbent Technology Chemist Andrey Bezrukov on the NEG8 Carbon team. His expertise will be pivotal in advancing materials research to enhance the efficiency of Direct Air Capture (DAC) of CO2.
Rapid Growth Plans
The rapidly expanding company currently employs 13 people and is set to grow its team to over 30 in the next 18 months. The focus will be on bolstering the technology team to drive research and development in the burgeoning field, as well as hiring engineers to lead design and execute upcoming projects.
Carbon Removal Market Outlook
Growth Potential of the Carbon Removal Market
As Adrian Costigan, Chief Commercial Officer of NEG8 Carbon, notes:
“The carbon removal market is poised for substantial growth as the urgency to address climate change intensifies. Analysts project that the market could reach between $10 billion and $40 billion annually by 2030. This growth is driven by advancements in carbon removal technologies, increasing investments, and supportive government policies.”
CO2 Storage Solutions
What Happens to the Captured CO2?
The captured CO2 will be permanently stored underground through a natural mineralisation process. This involves injecting the CO2 into deep underground rock formations where it reacts with minerals to form stable carbonate compounds, effectively locking the CO2 away. This method ensures long-term security and stability, preventing the CO2 from re-entering the atmosphere. NEG8 Carbon’s partners manage and monitor this process to guarantee its safety and effectiveness, providing a reliable solution for carbon sequestration.
For more:
What is Direct Air Capture?
How Does Direct Air Capture Work?
DAC Technologies