Petra Power founder talks solid oxide fuel cells for AI data centers

In October 2026, Petra Power founder Aaron Goodman discussed the company's solid oxide fuel cells in an interview. Founded in 2017, Petra sells ceramic-based fuel cells that convert fuels like natural gas into electricity without combustion. Goodman said the technology offers lower fuel costs and emissions compared with traditional power generation, while its compact and lightweight design reduces physical footprint.

Goodman explained that conventional generation involves multiple lossy steps—combustion, heat, motion, and electromotive force—whereas fuel cells strip electrons directly from fuel in a single step, making them theoretically much more efficient. As a result, companies running on fuel cells could achieve significant fuel cost savings.

Petra is targeting two customer segments: data centers and the U.S. Defense Department. For data centers, the company is working with neoclouds and other infrastructure providers, targeting first deployments in 2028 and full-scale production in 2029. Goodman noted that hyperscalers remain an ideal customer profile, with discussions ongoing but no firm agreements yet. For defense applications, the fuel cells are intended to provide auxiliary power for land vehicles when the main engine is off; the product is still in testing and has not been deployed on a live vehicle.

Petra, a team of about 15 people, has received nearly $9 million in Defense Department contracts and was named to the 2026 TechCrunch Startup Battlefield 200.