Spotlight: Arbor

Growing Energy Demand

As global energy needs continue to rise—driven by high-growth sectors like AI, transportation, and manufacturing—the demand for clean, reliable power is pushing grids to the limit. With annual growth now reaching 2-3%, utilities accustomed to flat demand are struggling to keep up.

Arbor Energy co-founded by former SpaceX engineers Brad Hartwig and Andres Garcia-Clark , is redefining what’s possible in energy. Their technology combines 24/7 clean power generation with permanent carbon removal, delivering a scalable solution that meets today’s power needs while reducing legacy emissions.

Capturing Carbon While Powering Industry

Arbor’s approach applies advanced rocket propulsion technology—pioneered by their team at SpaceX—to create a system that sequesters atmospheric carbon and generates clean energy.?

“We’re not just creating power—we’re removing past emissions with a system that can scale to meet future energy needs,” says CEO Brad Hartwig.?

This dual-benefit model enables industries to power growth without compromising climate goals, positioning Arbor as a leader in both reliable power and emission reduction.

Fast Iteration, Faster Learning

Arbor’s engineering culture is built on principles from aerospace and power generation. Inspired by their SpaceX roots, the team relies on first-principles thinking—questioning assumptions, avoiding over-engineering, and constantly iterating.

“We’re always looking for the fastest route to data,” says CEO Brad Hartwig. “For example, we needed test data on an oxy-combustion approach, so we built a model using materials from Home Depot for just $2,000. Speed is everything—the faster we get data, the faster we make decisions.”

Scaling Carbon-Negative Power

With U.S. electricity demand expected to triple by 2050, securing clean, always-on power is becoming an urgent priority—especially for tech companies working toward ambitious emissions goals. Current options like fossil fuels with carbon capture, low-carbon hydrogen, wind and solar with storage, and geothermal each have benefits but come with trade-offs.

This is where Arbor’s modular power stations stand out. Designed for rapid deployment and scalability, Arbor’s prefabricated, 3D-printed modules bring systems online within months, not years, allowing companies to meet immediate demand while adapting as needs grow.

Shaping the Future of Energy

Arbor’s innovative approach is gaining significant attention for its impact and scalability. The company recently secured a contract with Microsoft to remove 25,000 tons of CO? starting in 2027, while generating enough clean energy to power 4,000 homes annually. Arbor was also named a winner of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Carbon Negative Shot initiative and one of TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2024, further validating their approach.

With a target to generate 100 MW of clean power and remove nearly 2 million tons of CO? annually by 2030, Arbor is setting a new standard for scalable, carbon-negative energy solutions.

Brad Explains the Technology Behind Arbor