#151: Decarbonizing Industry Without Starting From Scratch with Petra Power

Mar 10, 2026

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In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we sit down with Aaron Goodman, CEO and co-founder of Petra Power, to explore a practical bridge solution for hard-to-abate sectors like trucking, shipping, and defense. As hydrogen infrastructure remains limited, Aaron explains how solid oxide fuel cells can convert diesel or hydrogen directly into electricity without combustion, and even reverse the process to generate hydrogen from electricity. We discuss why Petra Power is targeting auxiliary power units (APUs) on heavy-duty trucks rather than replacing engines outright, how support from the Department of Defense helped accelerate development, and why incremental efficiency gains may be more realistic than sweeping infrastructure overhauls in the next decade.

Key Points:

Bridge technologies matter in infrastructure gaps – Petra Power’s solid oxide fuel cells improve efficiency within existing diesel systems, allowing emissions reductions without waiting for widespread hydrogen fueling networks.
APUs are the entry point, not engines – By replacing auxiliary power units rather than propulsion systems, the company lowers adoption risk for trucking fleets operating on thin margins.
Defense funding accelerated commercialization – Early Department of Defense backing focused on reducing fuel transport in combat zones, where efficiency gains can directly impact operational safety.
Aaron Goodman, Founder and CEO of Petra Power, LinkedIn

Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

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