Energy Startup Series: Sheerwind

on December 12, 2014 at 3:00 PM
INVELOX sunset

Photo credit: Sheerwind

This is the latest installment in our Energy Startup Series that gives executives at cutting-edge energy firms an opportunity to share insights and experiences about the energy industry, their careers and their companies.  

With a background in finance and advising multinational companies, Mark Borman has found his calling at an innovative wind turbine company out of Chaska, Minnesota. Like so many others drawn to energy, Borman wanted to be part of a startup community changing the world. He was active in setting up the Midwest chapter of the Cleantech Open in 2010, an energy accelerator, which is where he first learned of SheerWind. He later joined on with SheerWind, becoming the company’s CFO. Though he’s humble when talking about himself, his voice conveys excitement and passion when the topic turns to his current project; to make wind power more reliable, accessible and affordable.

1-      What is the greatest challenge facing the energy industry over the next 5 years?  

The greatest challenge in the energy industry is global energy education. There’s a lack of understanding on how it is produced; how it is used; what the ramifications of current over use are; how it is transported and current infrastructure used; how it is regulated or not; how industry and business and jobs are affected; how energy is taken for granted in some countries and coveted in others; and finally how the future of energy can change to equalize access to affordable electrical energy for all people across the globe while maintaining a profitable industry that is less dependent of government subsidies. 

2-      What has been the biggest positive energy industry change since the start of your career? 

The continuing development of better renewable technologies with the goal of making wind and solar as cheap as fossil fuel is the biggest positive change. For our part, SheerWind’s INVELOX technology contributes to this by transforming wind into a reliable energy source providing sustainable, affordable energy to anyone—anywhere. Our innovative technology applies hydroelectric theory to wind. Where water is a visible fluid, wind is an invisible fluid. Imagine a large funnel collecting wind, channeling that wind to increase its speed, and then delivering it to turbines located on the ground. This system of capturing, concentrating, accelerating, and harvesting wind power in a funnel is a patented system we call INVELOXTM (for INcreased VELocity). SheerWind’s INVELOX is a solution that utilizes current wind power turbines and rotors but brings them to ground level for easier, safer, and cheaper operation and maintenance. Multiple turbines can be used in a row or series increasing output capacity for each tower. By increasing wind speed or velocity we can harvest wind in areas previously thought unsuitable for wind turbines. It allows us to provide electricity that is price competitive with fossil fuels or hydropower.

3-      What has been the biggest negative energy industry change since the start of your career? 

The lack of funding and support for new energy technology is the biggest negative change in the industry.  It is a result of traditional wind and solar technologies that underperform. That makes it much harder for innovators and small companies with new ideas to be funded or be accepted by the market.

4-      What is the greatest satisfaction of working in an energy-related field? 

Knowing SheerWind will make a difference in the world by offering an energy solution that moves the energy industry one step closer to equalizing access to affordable electrical energy across the globe.

signs

5-      What is the greatest frustration of working in an energy-related field? 

The lack of funding and support for new technology stemming from convincing industry, investors, and the market place that the energy industry can improve and needs better solutions. The latter of course makes it hard to secure funds for new ideas.

6-      What is your firm’s greatest strength?

Great leadership coupled with a brilliant inventor.  Followed by dedication of our team, investors, partners, supply chain, and most importantly the customers who are willing to take the risk with us. Without the customers who give us a chance to prove our capability and technology benefits, we will have no place in the future energy industry. 

7-      What do you think the future holds for energy technology? 

The future includes using a variety of renewable energy sources in perfect combination to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. This premise requires inventors, developers, and manufacturers involved in energy technologies to work together with the common goal of providing sustainable, affordable electrical energy to anyone, anywhere. 

8-      What is your favorite energy-themed film or television show? 

Back to the Future–Garbage Fuel 

9-      What is your favorite energy-themed book (fiction or non-fiction)?  

Consuming Power by David Nye

10-   What would you have been if you didn’t work in energy?

A rocket scientist