- American Gary D. Conley, created H2Go in the USA but his efforts were terminated by a gunshot behind Beale Air Force Base in Northern California
- Now the technology has risen into the stratosphere!
London based H2GO Power has revealed it has completed the world’s first successful test flight of a 3D-printed hydrogen-powered drone with Ballard Power Systems, Inc.
Courtesy H2GO Power
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) pilot took place in Boston in late
August as part of a partnership with Ballard Unmanned Systems Inc. – the
UAV arm of Ballard Power Systems.
Headquartered in the UK, H2GO Power is developing and delivering
solid-state hydrogen energy storage for zero-emission, reliable and safe
power supply. The company’s drone application solution can increase the
flight time of a drone’s battery by up to 90 minutes, compared with less
than 25 minutes for typical Lithium-ion battery systems.
The advanced design allows for up to 15% of total drone weight reduction
and volume control - achieved by the 3D printed lightweight metal - as
well as creating internal structures that optimise heat management into
and out of the power system. This enables UAVs to travel three to five
times further and carry heavier payloads.
The pilot is a testament to the company’s unique, solid-state hydrogen
storage technology which allows for clean, reliable and scalable energy
storage for UAVs/ Drones as well as a wide range of commercial, industrial
and residential applications including Plug & Play Storage Units,
eVTOLs and commercial aircraft.
With extensive scope in its commercial application in the developing and
developed world, H2GO Power’s energy solution can be used for the faster
delivery of medicines, quicker deployment of critical equipment,
residential delivery, agriculture and environment monitoring. Solid-state
hydrogen storage innovation that operates at such low pressures (1% of the
pressures demonstrated in similar applications) significantly removes
safety concerns of compressed hydrogen use.
Commenting on the pilot flight, Dr Enass Abo-Hamed, founder and CEO of
H2GO Power said: “This is a hugely exciting development for our unique
technology and brings us a step closer to delivering clean and sustainable
energy delivery. The successful pilot flight demonstrates an innovative
solution for the future of drones and its multiple commercial
applications.
“With safety at the forefront of our decision-making process, our power
system enables lightweight, scalable, clean energy storage that creates
significant cost savings and is up to five times more efficient than
existing alternatives.
“We’re excited that our solid-state hydrogen solution will unlock
commercial opportunities through its efficiency and safety.”
Phil Robinson, Vice President and General Manager of Ballard Unmanned
Systems, added: “We’re excited to work with the H2GO Power team to
demonstrate its innovative technology in real-world flight. It is through
partnerships like this that we will achieve our vision of delivering fuel
cell power for a sustainable planet.”