Fuel Cell Powered Drone

Tiny hydrogen fuel cells could be a game changer.

Fuel cell powered drone.

In conventional drones operators must swap out. This drone could fly forever with wireless power. Ballard power systems is a leading global provider of zero emission hydrogen fuel cell solutions for uavs bus truck rail and marine applications. Bshark partnered with micromulticopter mmc a manufacturer of the first hydrogen powered drone hydrone 1550 to release the narwhal 2 its new hydrogen powered drone equipped with air cooled fuel.

When we discuss the technology s potential with package delivery companies and drone manufacturers they raise three concerns. They have a higher energy to mass ratio than battery based systems and can be refuelled in a few minutes. A proton conducting polymer membrane separates two electrodes an anode and a cathode. See our video below to watch the 650w fuel cell power module in action.

3 8 4 bshark the hydrogen powered drone research company based in the british virgin islands has announced a hydrogen fuel cell drone with an entry price of usd 6 800. Fuel cell power technology is well known and proven. A hydrogen air fuel cell with a proton exchange membrane pemfc is one of the most efficient perspective technologies of fuel cells. Fuel cell powered drones are relatively new to the delivery industry.

Fuel cell uav technology. As a result of highly efficient cold fuel combustion this electrochemical device generates electric power. Ballard s 40 years of fuel cell development and more than a decade of uav flight experience has enabled us to deliver fcair the complete hydrogen solution for commercial drone operations. The majority of commercial drones on today s market are powered by lipo batteries but hydrogen fuel cells are making advances as an alternative fuel source for drones.

Learn how hydrogen drones work and what benefits they offer over lipo powered drones. The grim future of america s transportation system. This project will develop a hydrogen fuel cell powered ua v with an hour s flight time carrying a 5kg payload and remaining below 20kg mtom take off weight. A longer flight duration will open up new ua v applications as well as improving current capabilities.

The short answer is yes. The future skies may be crowded with drones. Proven and reliable clean fuel solution. Is the technology mature.

For drone operators using hydrogen fuel is less about the environmental benefits and more about lowering operational expenses. The number one complaint of drone users especially commercial drone users is battery life.