Petra Power targets solid oxide fuel cells for data centers and defense vehicles

The company is lining up first deployments for 2028 as it works with infrastructure providers and continues government testing.

Petra Power is trying to bring solid oxide fuel cells into data centers and defense vehicles, a move that could cut fuel use, emissions, and space requirements for power-hungry operators. Founded in 2017, the company says its ceramic cells turn fuels such as natural gas into electricity more directly than combustion-based systems, which is the basis for the efficiency gains it is pitching. Founder Aaron Goodman said Petra is working with neoclouds and other infrastructure providers now, with first deployments targeted for 2028 and full-scale production for 2029, while larger hyperscaler deals are still in discussion. On the government side, Petra is testing auxiliary power for land vehicles rather than running on a live vehicle yet, and it has already taken in nearly $9 million in Defense Department contracts. The company, which has about 15 employees, was also picked for TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield 200 this year.