Intelligent Energy: New Hydrogen Cell For Drone Market & Another Flight Time Record

UK startup and world-leading fuel cell engineering company Intelligent Energy is set to launch a new hydrogen fuel cell at AUVSI Xponential 2019 later this month. The 2.4kW fuel cell is designed for the commercial UAV market.

In the past eighteen months, Intelligent Energy has launched four products for commercial drones. All aim to provide a solution to the constraints of LiPo batteries. Instead, the company’s solutions promise minimum downtime, fast refuel, and superior flight times.

You can read more about the prospects of hydrogen power in our feature: Intelligent Energy & Productiv on Hydrogen-Powered Drones

World Record Multi Rotor Flights Achieved With Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Recently, Intelligent Energy’s 800W Fuel Cell Power Module was used to achieve a new Guinness World Record for the longest multi-rotor flight time. The flight was conducted by South Korean company MetaVista. The drone flew for 12 hours, 7 minutes and 5 seconds using liquid hydrogen to fuel the module. The previous record stood at 2 hours, 6 minutes 7 seconds.

Lee Juby, Chief Sales Officer at Intelligent Energy, said: “We have the lightest and most power dense fuel cells available on the market and we continue to design new and innovative products to ensure we are leading the way in fuel cell power for commercial UAVs.

A 380% increase in DJI M600 Flight Time?

Juby continued: “Initially, we will be offering the 2.4kW to select customers with first deliveries planned for October 2019. The modules will then be made widely available to customers from early 2020. This latest product can achieve much longer flight times, for example on a DJI M600 frame with an 11 litre 350Bar hydrogen cylinder, a retrospectively fitted 2.4kW FCPM could achieve a flight time of over 2 hours compared to just 25 minutes with its battery power pack.”

Two 2.4kW modules can also be linked in parallel to provide up to 4.8kW of power without the need for additional hardware. The module provides continuous power to the UAV and is hybridised with a small battery to manage the peak loads. The module can be fitted onto a number of off the shelf frames, however, efficiencies and flight time can be optimised further still on a customised frame.

Visitors to AUVSI Xponential will be able to see the full range of Intelligent Energy’s Fuel Cell Power Modules on stand number 3413 and speak to the team.

Intelligent Energy’s Andy Kelly, head of UAV product development, will be speaking on Tuesday 30 April at 11 am. The talk is entitled: Beyond Batteries: How Fuel Cells Offer a Viable Solution to Current Flight Time Constraints of Traditional Power Sources.