Frederick Lessmann
Co-CEO and CFO, HyperHeat
Frederick Lessmann joins the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program from HyperHeat in Offenburg, Germany. Frederick is the commercial co-founder at HyperHeat at the intersection of technology development and market application, laying the path for commercialisation. He has a background in industrial engineering and brings a deep understanding of customer requirements for hardware development, valuable experience in business development, and in initiating pilot projects with industry leaders.
HyperHeat is developing a novel low-cost industrial heater using oxide ceramics for ultra-hot resistive heating. Their solution can be compared to a super-hot electric hair dryer that is a drop-in replacement for a natural gas burner. When powered by renewable electricity, this heater can rapidly decarbonize high-temperature (up to 2000°C) processes in industries like steel, cement, and base chemicals through cost-efficient retrofitting. The Fellows program will enable HyperHeat to demonstrate 2000°C heating capability for the first time.
Frederick is a passionate sailor and advocate for environmental protection. His interest in technological solutions for climate action developed during his studies at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, where he received a BS and MS in Industrial Engineering. Frederick gained early experience as a management consultant before receiving a scholarship to study at McGill University in Montreal/Canada. After finishing his Masters at Karlsruhe, he co-founded and built his first hardware startup in the energy field. Before co-founding HyperHeat, he spent three years in senior management of a growth company.
Q&A
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Happiness is a choice, not a result.
Who has had the greatest impact on your career path?
The Deepwater Horizon catastrophe in 2010
What is your favorite word and why?
“Papa” is the German word for daddy. Hearing it from my little ones makes me extremely happy while reminding me of the importance of contributing to a good future for our children.
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