E81: This carbon removal tech is literally rocket science
E81: This carbon removal tech is literally rocket science  
Podcast: Everybody in the Pool
Published On: Thu Mar 20 2025
Description: This week on Everybody in the Pool, Molly Wood talks with Brad Hartwig, co-founder and CEO of Arbor Energy. Brad shares his remarkable journey from SpaceX rocket engineer to climate tech entrepreneur, developing technology that transforms waste biomass into carbon-negative energy using rocket propulsion principles. Yep, you read that right. A guy who used to want to be an astronaut woke up one day and realized this planet was the place to put his energy. Find out how Arbor’s tech could replace fossil fuel plants while simultaneously removing carbon from the atmosphere.Show HighlightsBrad's transition from aerospace engineering at SpaceX to climate tech after witnessing California wildfires firsthandHow Arbor Energy's technology uses "oxy combustion" (inspired by rocket engines) to generate clean electricity while capturing carbonThe system produces no emissions - only pure CO2 (for sequestration) and clean waterPotential to replace up to 60 gigawatts of coal and natural gas plants in the US with carbon-negative powerUses only waste biomass from agriculture, forestry, and potentially municipal wasteEconomic benefits for wildfire prevention through monetizing brush clearingFirst commercial deployment targeted for 2027ResourcesArbor EnergyBrad HartwigMinistry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson - Climate fiction book mentioned by BradAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-poolPlease subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! To support the show and get an ad-free listening experience, please jump in and become a member of Everybody in the Pool! https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-pool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.