Attleboro startup wins $5M-plus to drive new wind power technology

Wind energy technology startup General Compression Inc. in Attleboro, has closed its first round of funding, hauling in more than $5 million.

Published reports pegged the funding at $6.5 million, though company officials would not confirm. The identity of investors was not made public.

The funds will be used to accelerate the development of the company's turbine technology, which uses stored compressed air to generate power during calm weather.

When a windmill's rotors are spinning the system compresses air and stores that air in a network of pipes below ground. When needed, that compressed air is injected into generators, generating electricity when wind is calm.

The system can store 6-12 hours of energy. However, if the project is sited near a geologic feature such as a salt dome, aquifer, limestone cavern, or depleted gas field, energy storage times can exceed weeks and even months, officials said.

The company is led by CEO David Marcus and his brother Michael, who is president. David Marcus is an investor in wind technologies as a former managing partner of energy fund Chestnut Capital LLC in Newton. Michael Marcus is also an investor in other wind technologies as a former managing partner at Booner Capital LLC in Florida.

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