--- title: "Energy consumption by artificial intelligence systems prompts search for more efficient power sources" url: https://noti.group/energy-consumption-by-artificial-intelligence-systems-prompts-search/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "Technology" published: 2026-10-10T17:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-10-11T01:36:12.532Z id: 9f0955b4-7def-4b4a-b91c-6abfd1e5c8de source: "TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/10/petra-power-looks-to-modernize-energy-for-data-centers-and-defense-vehicles/" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/energy-consumption-by-artificial-intelligence-systems-prompts-search/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Energy consumption by artificial intelligence systems prompts search for more efficient power sources Petra Power has emerged as a key player in developing innovative solutions for energy-hungry applications using solid oxide fuel cells. Energy consumption by artificial intelligence systems is on the rise, prompting an urgent search for more efficient power sources. Petra Power has emerged as a key player in this effort, founded in 2017 to develop innovative solutions for energy-hungry applications. The company specializes in solid oxide fuel cells, which convert fuels like natural gas into electricity without burning them. This approach offers several advantages over traditional power generation methods. For instance, Petra's fuel cells generate significantly lower emissions and have lower fuel costs compared to conventional sources. Additionally, they are more compact and lightweight, reducing their physical footprint. Petra Power's founder, Aaron Goodman, highlights the inefficiencies inherent in traditional power generation. "Combustion takes fuel and creates explosions," he explains. Petra's fuel cells operate in a more streamlined manner than traditional combustion engines. Instead of breaking down fuel into its constituent parts and then reassembling it to generate electricity, they directly extract electrons from the fuel, producing power without intermediate steps. This approach allows Petra's customers to reap significant savings on fuel costs, as Goodman pointed out. By eliminating unnecessary processes, the company can potentially achieve greater efficiency in its energy conversion process. Petra is targeting two primary markets for its innovative product: data centers and defense vehicles. These sectors are likely to benefit from the increased efficiency and reliability offered by Petra's fuel cells, which could provide a competitive edge in terms of power consumption. The company is currently working with infrastructure providers such as neoclouds, which are smaller than hyperscale cloud companies but larger than other infrastructure providers. Petra aims to deploy its first units with these customers by 2028 and reach full-scale production by 2029. Petra sees hyperscalers as the ideal customer profile for its product due to their massive power consumption needs. Goodman acknowledged that while talks are ongoing, no firm agreements have been reached yet, but the company is actively working towards securing partnerships with these key players in the industry. Petra Power's government contract is still taking shape, with ongoing discussions about how its fuel cells can be used to provide auxiliary power for land vehicles. This would enable onboard equipment to function when the main engine is off, but Petra's product has yet to be deployed on a live vehicle. The company's testing phase is currently underway, during which time the government will decide whether to move forward with the project. Goodman clarified that no actual deployment has occurred so far. Petra Power's team is small, consisting of around 15 people, but the company is expanding rapidly. It has received nearly $9 million in contracts from the Defense Department and hopes to significantly scale its work in the coming years. As Petra continues to grow, it remains a contender in this year's Startup Battlefield, having been selected as one of the top 200 startups participating in the program. The event will be held at Moscone West in downtown San Francisco next week. Petra Power is also taking advantage of a promotion for the Disrupt experience, where attendees can get a second pass at 50% off. This allows them to bring along colleagues or partners and make connections within the startup ecosystem. Petra Power is working to modernize energy systems for data centers and defense vehicles by leveraging advanced technologies such as fuel cells and battery storage. This involves developing innovative solutions that can provide reliable power in remote or harsh environments, where traditional grid connectivity may be limited. The company's efforts aim to improve efficiency and reduce costs associated with powering these critical infrastructure facilities. By achieving this goal, Petra Power is poised to make a significant impact on the energy landscape of various industries. --- Source: [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/10/petra-power-looks-to-modernize-energy-for-data-centers-and-defense-vehicles/) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/energy-consumption-by-artificial-intelligence-systems-prompts-search/