Petra Power Targets Data Centers and Defense Sector With Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

As artificial intelligence continues to drive soaring energy demands, companies are racing to find power solutions that balance efficiency with cost. Petra Power, a firm founded in 2017, has emerged as a leader in this space by offering solid oxide fuel cells—ceramic devices that generate electricity from fuels like natural gas without combustion.

The technology promises a significant reduction in both fuel expenses and emissions compared to traditional power sources, while also occupying less physical space due to its compact and lightweight design. According to founder Aaron Goodman, conventional power generation relies on a chain of inefficient steps: burning fuel creates explosions, which generate heat, which produces motion, which eventually powers an electromotive force to create electricity. Each stage incurs energy loss.

In contrast, Petra’s fuel cells extract electrons directly from the fuel, creating electricity in a single step with minimal loss, resulting in substantially higher theoretical efficiency. This advantage is driving the company’s focus on two primary markets: data centers and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Goodman noted that while hyperscalers represent an ideal customer profile, Petra is currently engaging with neoclouds and other infrastructure providers positioned below the largest tech giants. The company aims for initial deployments with these customers by 2028, targeting full-scale production by 2029. “We don’t have anything firm with [hyperscalers] yet,” Goodman said, adding that the team is actively working toward securing deals with the industry’s biggest power consumers.

In the defense sector, Petra’s fuel cells are being developed to provide auxiliary power for land vehicles, supplying electricity to onboard systems when the main engine is off. Although the technology has not yet been deployed on live vehicles, it is currently undergoing testing as the government evaluates whether to proceed with larger contracts. To date, Petra has secured nearly $9 million in Defense Department contracts.

Operating with a team of approximately 15 people, Petra Power has been selected for TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200 program. The company will be featured at TechCrunch Disrupt in downtown San Francisco this week.