A backpack battery comprising a battery pack incorporated within the backpack battery, wherein the battery pack comprises: a plurality of battery cells, wherein each battery cell comprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis running through the first end and the second end; a cell housing comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a cell retention structure there-between, wherein the cell retention structure is configured to retain the plurality of battery cells in matrix of rows and columns such that the longitudinal axis of each battery cell is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other battery cells; a plurality of connectors located on the exterior of the cell housing and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells through openings in the first and second walls of the cell housing, wherein the plurality of connectors electrically connect the battery cells in each row in parallel and the battery cells in each column in series; and wherein the backpack battery is affixed to a harness that is configured to attach the backpack battery to a user's back such that the battery pack is configured to be worn on the user's back during operation, wherein the backpack battery comprises an upper end, a lower end, and sidewalls that extend between the upper end and the lower end along sides of the backpack battery pack, wherein the backpack battery is oriented such that incoming air may be drawn into the battery pack from the lower end and is dispelled from the battery pack from an outlet screen that is disposed in portions of the sidewalls that are proximate to the upper end, and wherein the backpack battery further comprises a control element disposed at a portion of the battery pack housing. a plurality of battery cells, wherein each battery cell comprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis running through the first end and the second end; a cell housing comprising a first wall, a second wall, and a cell retention structure there-between, wherein the cell retention structure is configured to retain the plurality of battery cells in matrix of rows and columns such that the longitudinal axis of each battery cell is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other battery cells; a plurality of connectors located on the exterior of the cell housing and electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells through openings in the first and second walls of the cell housing, wherein the plurality of connectors electrically connect the battery cells in each row in parallel and the battery cells in each column in series; and wherein the backpack battery is affixed to a harness that is configured to attach the backpack battery to a user's back such that the battery pack is configured to be worn on the user's back during operation, wherein the backpack battery comprises an upper end, a lower end, and sidewalls that extend between the upper end and the lower end along sides of the backpack battery pack, wherein the backpack battery is oriented such that incoming air may be drawn into the battery pack from the lower end and is dispelled from the battery pack from an outlet screen that is disposed in portions of the sidewalls that are proximate to the upper end, and wherein the backpack battery further comprises a control element disposed at a portion of the battery pack housing.