NOMAD Power / Company Spotlight
The world’s first megawatt-scale mobile energy storage platform, NOMAD stands out for its rapid deployment capabilities, operational within an hour. This agility, coupled with 100% U.S.-based manufacturing, positions NOMAD as an industry leader.
Waterbury-based NOMAD Transportable Power Systems, Inc. (NOMAD) is one of the nation’s most promising energy storage system (ESS) companies.
Founded in 2019, NOMAD offers transportable battery systems designed for rapid deployment and operation. These systems alleviate grid constraints, modernize disaster response efforts, and provide electric vehicle (EV) charging at events and in remote locations. Most importantly, these solutions can be powered by renewable sources like wind and solar.
“Unlike traditional energy storage assets, a NOMAD unit can be deployed and operational anywhere within one hour,” said Director Gregg Noble in an interview with VCET. “Solving infrastructure problems within an hour is not something that has been done a lot in the power industry.”
NOMAD’s remarkable growth over the past four years is highlighted by its recent contract to develop microgrids for U.S. National Guard sites.
“The National Guard has some really large bases – including one in Mississippi –– and then satellite locations that are much smaller,” said COO Chris McKay. “There are many locations [with] different sizes and needs. We’re happy to be able to work with them.”
NOMAD’s solutions cater to a wide range of sectors, including utilities, commercial and industrial, EV charging, oil and gas, and government. The company sells four mobile units, varying in size, including the Pathfinder (220 kWh) and Traveler (2.0 MWh). McKay says the former is particularly promising.
“The Pathfinder will be under 10,000 pounds, so it could be towed by a pickup or a regular commercial vehicle,” said McKay. “I think that’ll bring mobile storage to the masses. Right now, you need a semi-truck to move our big units, but that is not in everyone’s means and budget.”
Noble and McKay referenced a strong connection to other Vermont companies when explaining NOMAD’s success. For example, the company sold its first unit to Colchester-based Green Mountain Power, who used the units to prevent outages and lower customer costs during energy peaks.
“We are always on the lookout for innovators who are addressing real problems facing Vermonters,” said Mari McClure, CEO of Green Mountain Power. “Energy storage is a game changer for our grid ensuring we continue to deliver clean energy while lowering costs and increasing resiliency.”
NOMAD also sources its batteries and network operations from VCET portfolio company KORE Power.
“We’re independent, but KORE is heavily enough invested in our success in that we have a guaranteed supply of batteries,” said McKay. “Other groups have to buy batteries and hope that the relationship is sound and they are prioritized; whereas we always know that we are a top priority customer. So that’s a big difference.”
Finally, NOMAD credits VCET for its support.
“[VCET] provides awareness of what else is going on in the state and keeps us updated with what technical activities are happening around us,” said McKay. “They keep us informed and motivated as well.”
This year, NOMAD plans to expand into Canada, and expects to have its first units in Europe next year. Future plans also include discussions with groups in Australia, Mexico, and South America.
“We have real feet on the ground in some of these places,” said McKay. “They’re teeing it up so that when our products are ready, we’ll be able to go straight into these markets.”
The global shift toward renewables is bolstering the battery storage market, projected to reach a $36 billion valuation by 2030. National policies – like the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which earmarked $370 billion for investments in clean energy initiatives – have also provided a boost.
“We are starting to hear about a lot of other companies that are interested [in this space],” said McKay. “We have a little head start, but we have to keep after it.”
Learn more about NOMAD’s team, product, and growth here. You can also find them on LinkedIn here.
