Steven Walker will discuss his latest work developing ultra-efficient, cold-climate heat pumps powered by advanced turbocompressor technology.
Walker’s current efforts center on next-generation turbocompressors designed to improve the performance and efficiency of heating and cooling systems. Developed for refrigerated transport systems used in long-haul trucking, the technology also has the potential to transform residential heating and cooling.
His team’s work has been recognized and funded by organizations including NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy or ARPA-E.
Walker has built his career around a lifelong passion for engineering and high-tech, high-volume manufacturing. Over the years, he has founded, owned and operated several successful businesses, including Walker Lawns & Landscaping, Lincoln Industries, New England Wood Pellet, Propell Energy and Evari.
He launched Walker Lawns & Landscaping while still in high school, growing it to serve more than 300 homes and businesses. At Lincoln Industries, he designed and implemented automated production equipment to reduce labor demands and increase productivity.
Walker later founded New England Wood Pellet, which grew to become the largest manufacturer and distributor of wood pellet fuel in the United States. He designed, built and operated five high-volume manufacturing facilities and established an equipment fabrication division, helping the company achieve 40% year-over-year growth for two decades. He further vertically integrated the business by launching Propell Energy, which developed and installed advanced pellet heating systems, expanding the company’s market. Propell Energy was acquired in 2010, and New England Wood Pellet was acquired in 2013. Both companies continue to operate successfully.