Fuel Cell Powered Drone

As a result of highly efficient cold fuel combustion this electrochemical device generates electric power.

Fuel cell powered drone.

Fuel cell powered drones are relatively new to the delivery industry. Fuel cell power technology is well known and proven. The grim future of america s transportation system. In conventional drones operators must swap out.

When we discuss the technology s potential with package delivery companies and drone manufacturers they raise three concerns. 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. Ballard power systems is a leading global provider of zero emission hydrogen fuel cell solutions for uavs bus truck rail and marine applications. The number one complaint of drone users especially commercial drone users is battery life.

Tiny hydrogen fuel cells could be a game changer. A proton conducting polymer membrane separates two electrodes an anode and a cathode. Learn how hydrogen drones work and what benefits they offer over lipo powered drones. Fuel cell uav technology.

Is the technology mature. A hydrogen air fuel cell with a proton exchange membrane pemfc is one of the most efficient perspective technologies of fuel cells. They have a higher energy to mass ratio than battery based systems and can be refuelled in a few minutes. 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. Supported by innovate uk. For drone operators using hydrogen fuel is less about the environmental benefits and more about lowering operational expenses. See our video below to watch the 650w fuel cell power module in action.

A longer flight duration will open up new ua v applications as well as improving current capabilities. The mfd 3000 hydrogen fuel cell edition uses a 2 4kw hydrogen fuel cell created by intelligent energy presenting another case of a drone being configured so that it can be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Proven and reliable clean fuel solution. Intelligent energy s air cooled fuel cell systems run on hydrogen and ambient air to produce clean dc power in a simple cost effective robust and lightweight package.

The short answer is yes. The future skies may be crowded with drones.