NORDSEC Nordic Defence and Security Cluster is strengthening its focus on energy security and operational power supply with Nordic Batteries as a new member. The company develops and manufactures tailored battery packs and mobile energy solutions for demanding applications within defence, the maritime sector, and critical infrastructure.

“We have joined because NORDSEC sits at the very core of what we work with. If we are to succeed in the defence market, we need to connect closely with the players developing the systems – whether drones, sensors, communication platforms or maritime solutions,” says Jarle Gjøsæther, CEO of Nordic Batteries.

From battery cell to operational solution

Nordic Batteries positions itself as an integrator in the battery value chain. The company designs and assembles battery packs based on various cell formats and chemistries, tailored to specific operational requirements.

“We often say that we ‘bridge the gap from battery cells to application’. We do not manufacture the cells ourselves, but we develop and produce battery packs optimised for the intended use. That provides flexibility in the choice of chemistry, format and supplier,” Gjøsæther explains.

The company has particular expertise in different battery chemistries, their characteristics and use cases, enabling it to customise battery packs for Nordic and Arctic operations.

Jarle Gjøsæther, CEO and Boris Smit, Senior Engineer i Nordic Batteries. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Power in the field

A key focus area is mobile power supply in the field. Nordic Batteries delivers modular energy solutions capable of powering everything from drone detection systems and radar units to communication equipment and maritime platforms, without relying on fossil-fuel generators.

“Everyone needs power. Traditional generators emit heat and noise and require fuel logistics. Our solutions are virtually silent and can operate over time without a detectable signature. ‘Power in the field’ is a real operational requirement,” says Gjøsæther.

During military tests and demonstrations in Northern Norway, the company brought five different products and quickly identified a significant number of new energy-related applications.

“We brought five products, but after the tests we were looking at around fifteen concrete energy use cases. That demonstrates how central the energy component is in almost every system deployed in the field,” he says.

Jarle Gjøsæther and Boris Smit fra Nordic Batteries, with Tevje Ravn Eggan and Torbjørn Lundberg from NORDSEC. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri

Aiming to contribute to the cluster

Nordic Batteries intends to play an active role in the cluster, particularly at the intersection of production technology, design and value chain development.

“We can contribute specialised expertise in manufacturing and design for automation. If you are going to produce batteries at scale in Norway, you need to think production from the very first drawing. We see several examples of players developing their own battery solutions that work at prototype stage but become extremely challenging to industrialise,” Gjøsæther says.

The company has established production setups focused on automated assembly, robotic handling and cell-level traceability.

“To achieve cost-efficient and scalable production, we need to be involved early. It is far easier to design for automated manufacturing from the outset than to try to automate a solution that has been manually assembled. That is where we can add significant value within the cluster,” he adds.

At the same time, he emphasises that Nordic Batteries already operates at the centre of the battery and energy value chain.

“We work operationally with batteries and energy every day. When other members develop drones, sensors or maritime systems, energy is always part of the equation. We want to be a natural partner in those projects.

“We are looking to connect with a network that requires design and production of products and services supporting defence and critical infrastructure. We want to help build a strong Norwegian network for design and production in support of defence and critical infrastructure. We are keen to collaborate with other cluster members on developing solutions and deliveries, participate in funding applications, and share our experience with other companies,” says Jarle Gjøsæther.

Strengthening the energy component in the defence cluster

With increasing demands for supply security, European value chains and reduced dependency on single markets, energy systems are becoming an ever more strategic component within the defence and security sector.

Through its membership in NORDSEC, Nordic Batteries aims to build closer ties with system integrators, technology companies and public stakeholders, and to contribute to a more robust and future-oriented energy infrastructure for Nordic defence and security.