Energy startup Arbor Energy has just landed the mother of all orders, sealing a deal worth single-digit billions for its modular turbine technology to GridMarket. The turbines, based on rocket turbomachinery and 3D-printed, can generate up to 5 gigawatts.

Brad Hartwig, co-founder and CEO, is keen: 'Everyone wants more power. They wanted it yesterday.' Arbor’s Halcyon turbines initially intended for organic matter consumption—such as crop waste—to produce carbon-negative energy. However, they’ve since been updated to accept natural gas, albeit with some CO2 sequestration benefits.

The shift from biomass to a broader fuel mix reflects the pragmatic pivot in energy tech. As Hartwig points out, traditional gas turbines are struggling to keep up, leaving companies like Arbor as potential game-changers. 3D-printed parts could mean quicker market entry and production ramp-up.

Arbor's ambitious timeline sees it delivering over 100 turbines annually by 2030, targeting a carbon emissions goal of less than 10 grams per kilowatt-hour—significantly lower than conventional natural gas plants. While not entirely carbon negative in all scenarios, this leap forward could signal a new era in power generation.

The deal with GridMarket is just the beginning. Arbor has other smaller deals built around biomass and is keen to stay ahead of the curve, ensuring it can meet growing energy demands without getting bottlenecked by traditional supply chains.