Intelligent Energy develops hydrogen fuel cell prototype for drones

Energy technology company Intelligent Energy has developed a hydrogen fuel cell powered range extender prototype for drones.

The range extender will allow longer flight duration and will give quick re-fuel features to drones compared to battery powered ones.

According to the company, the new range extender is built by merging an ultra lightweight fuel cell stack with a battery.

It is capable of providing several hours of flight duration compared to the current 20 minutes of flight time provided by other battery powered drones.

Extenders can also shorten the current wait period of up to two hours required for recharging between flights to an average of two minutes.

The company is planning to launch its new hydrogen fuel cell prototype at the Consumer Technology Association (CES) in January in Las Vegas.

Intelligent Energy consumer electronics division group business development director Julian Hughes said: "Drones are one of the most exciting new technologies.

"Even with advanced batteries their value is limited. For commercial use, they need to offer better flight times and range.

"That will all become possible with the release of our range extender platform.

"A longer flight time coupled with a quick re-fuel opens a wide range of new commercial possibilities for businesses such as drones for inspection of offshore platforms, search and rescue, high quality aerial photography, precision agriculture and parcel delivery and more.

"Given we also have the ability to tailor solutions to customer requirements, this could completely revolutionise the potential of drone technology."

Intelligent Energy previously collaborated with Boeing Phantom Works to power the first commercial manned fuel cell aircraft. The company also worked with Airbus for an auxiliary power unit.

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Image: Intelligent Energy develops hydrogen fuel cell prototype for drone. Photo: courtesy of Intelligent Energy.