- Email: [email protected]
HES Hycopter drone highlighted by Dubai Police at Intersec 2019
NEWS
Project Rachel, with videos of flight test: www.thehydrogendrone.com
have launched a long-term innovation partnership in the field of nextgeneration unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) with the Dubai Police Force. The company’s Hycopter hydrogenelectric multirotor drone was showcased by Dubai Police at the recent Intersec 2019 security trade show in Dubai. The collaboration between H3 Dynamics and Dubai Police could lead to the adoption of extended flight duration hydrogen drones by police in Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [see also page 13], to ensure security in one of the world’s most technologically advanced cities. The Hycopter – which was recently launched commercially [FCB, December 2018, p5] – can fly for more than 3 h while carrying surveillance equipment, and will allow the police to reach emergency zones quickly and provide constant feedback for extended periods of time, as well as monitor large areas and provide continuous aerial oversight during police operations. Furthermore, the possibility of integrating thermal sensors will provide unprecedented help in any intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission the police may carry out. HES Energy Systems is a global leader in developing ultra-light fuel cells and hydrogen energy storage systems. The company has been hired by Tier 1 UAV manufacturers and leading aerospace institutes around the world for more than a decade, and has developed a variety of hydrogen storage approaches to continuously push the limits of onboard, off-grid, or portable energy. The Hycopter concept will also be used in transitional wing VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) applications, and the same HES core technology is now being scaled up to power manned electric aviation – e.g. the Element One hydrogen-electric passenger aircraft [November 2018, p4] – as well as other aerial mobility platforms under discussion with various international aerospace companies.
Intelligent Energy: www.intelligent-energy.com
H3 Dynamics: www.h3dynamics.com
BATCAM: www.batcam.tv
HES Energy Systems: www.hes.sg
carrying a 5 kg payload. The lithium polymer battery powered UAVs currently used by BATCAM allow around 12 min of usable flight, but a recent test of the purpose-built fuel cell powered UAV saw it fly for an uninterrupted 70 min carrying a 5 kg payload. This was achieved on a UAV with below 20 kg (44 lb) maximum takeoff mass, using a 6 litre cylinder containing hydrogen compressed to 300 bar. Intelligent Energy completed the integration work, while BATCAM advised on design requirements, project targets, and piloted the test flights. Intelligent Energy also commissioned and trialed a user-friendly, costeffective, portable hydrogen refueling solution from NanoSUN, which offers innovative products that refuel, store, purify, and analyse hydrogen. The project will conclude in early 2019, with BATCAM carrying out real-world end-user trials. Successful completion will bring major benefits for those involved in commercial UAV usage, in sectors such as mining, agriculture, surveying and monitoring, security, and emergency services. MetaVista in South Korea has subsequently demonstrated a 10 h 50 min multicopter test flight using Intelligent Energy’s lightweight 650 W Fuel Cell Power Module (FCPM), which is believed to be the longest flight time of its kind – up to three times longer than when using compressed gaseous hydrogen. MetaVista used 390 g of liquid hydrogen stored in a 6 litre, ultralight-weight, liquid hydrogen storage cylinder that it specifically developed to work with the FCPM. The MetaVista liquid hydrogen system coupled with the 650 W FCPM system provides an excellent 1865 Wh/kg energy density. Intelligent Energy offers 650 W [FCB, October 2017, p4] and 800 W [October 2018, p6] versions of its lightweight FCPM for the commercial UAV market.
Productiv: www.productiv.co.uk NanoSUN Ltd: www.nanosun.co.uk MetaVista USA: www.metavistausa.com MetaVista test flight video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U_dHZZ3vxQ
HES Hycopter drone highlighted by Dubai Police at Intersec 2019
S
ingapore-based H3 Dynamics and its HES Energy Systems subsidiary
6
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Norled to build world's first hydrogen ferry, to enter service in 2021
T
he Norwegian Public Roads Administration and ferry operator Norled AS have signed an agreement for the construction of what is claimed to be the world’s first hydrogenelectric ferry, which will begin zeroemissions operation in 2021. Norled won the development contract in close competition with Fjord1 and Boreal Sjø/Wärtsilä
Ship Design [FCB, March 2018, p6], to develop, construct and operate a hydrogen-electric ferry where at least 50% of the energy requirement is covered by hydrogen. Norled and its partners and suppliers will now take the project forward to commence operations in 2021. The hydrogenelectric ferry will connect National Road 13 between Hjelmeland, Skipavik and Nesvik in the western county of Rogaland, carrying up to 80 cars and 299 passengers. ‘I’m impressed by the work done by the shipping companies and their partners,’ says Terje Moe Gustavsen, Director of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. ‘We’ve been offered three good solutions. The work has been extensive, and many players are involved. The shipping companies’ class [classification] companies, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, and the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) have been important players. The work has linked a lot of the latest in innovative, climate-friendly and future-oriented maritime technology.’ The Norwegian government’s PILOT-E scheme recently awarded grants to develop and realise maritime projects utilising hydrogen fuel cell technologies, with Hyon AS working on a high-speed ferry and a short-sea coastal freighter, and Havyard Group developing a zero-emissions ROPAX (roll-on/roll-off freight and passenger) vessel [January 2019, p3]. Norled AS: www.norled.no/en Norwegian Public Roads Administration: www.vegvesen.no/en
Hydrogenious and FZ Jülich to cooperate for hydrogen mobility
H
ydrogenious Technologies GmbH and the Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Centre in Germany have joined forces to further develop and commercialise the Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology for mobile applications, with the recent signing of a strategic cooperation agreement. Hydrogenious sees the partnership as an important milestone towards the future zeroemissions, safe, and efficient operation of public and freight transport with hydrogen. The cooperation focuses on onboard systems for trains, ships, and heavy-duty vehicles, and on the further development of the Direct LOHC fuel cell technology. In mobile applications, LOHC enables infrastructure-compatible refueling and the operation of vehicles similar to today’s liquid fuels. The high storage density of LOHC easily
February 2019
Project Rachel, with videos of flight test: www.thehydrogendrone.com
have launched a long-term innovation partnership in the field of nextgeneration unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) with the Dubai Police Force. The company’s Hycopter hydrogenelectric multirotor drone was showcased by Dubai Police at the recent Intersec 2019 security trade show in Dubai. The collaboration between H3 Dynamics and Dubai Police could lead to the adoption of extended flight duration hydrogen drones by police in Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [see also page 13], to ensure security in one of the world’s most technologically advanced cities. The Hycopter – which was recently launched commercially [FCB, December 2018, p5] – can fly for more than 3 h while carrying surveillance equipment, and will allow the police to reach emergency zones quickly and provide constant feedback for extended periods of time, as well as monitor large areas and provide continuous aerial oversight during police operations. Furthermore, the possibility of integrating thermal sensors will provide unprecedented help in any intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission the police may carry out. HES Energy Systems is a global leader in developing ultra-light fuel cells and hydrogen energy storage systems. The company has been hired by Tier 1 UAV manufacturers and leading aerospace institutes around the world for more than a decade, and has developed a variety of hydrogen storage approaches to continuously push the limits of onboard, off-grid, or portable energy. The Hycopter concept will also be used in transitional wing VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) applications, and the same HES core technology is now being scaled up to power manned electric aviation – e.g. the Element One hydrogen-electric passenger aircraft [November 2018, p4] – as well as other aerial mobility platforms under discussion with various international aerospace companies.
Intelligent Energy: www.intelligent-energy.com
H3 Dynamics: www.h3dynamics.com
BATCAM: www.batcam.tv
HES Energy Systems: www.hes.sg
carrying a 5 kg payload. The lithium polymer battery powered UAVs currently used by BATCAM allow around 12 min of usable flight, but a recent test of the purpose-built fuel cell powered UAV saw it fly for an uninterrupted 70 min carrying a 5 kg payload. This was achieved on a UAV with below 20 kg (44 lb) maximum takeoff mass, using a 6 litre cylinder containing hydrogen compressed to 300 bar. Intelligent Energy completed the integration work, while BATCAM advised on design requirements, project targets, and piloted the test flights. Intelligent Energy also commissioned and trialed a user-friendly, costeffective, portable hydrogen refueling solution from NanoSUN, which offers innovative products that refuel, store, purify, and analyse hydrogen. The project will conclude in early 2019, with BATCAM carrying out real-world end-user trials. Successful completion will bring major benefits for those involved in commercial UAV usage, in sectors such as mining, agriculture, surveying and monitoring, security, and emergency services. MetaVista in South Korea has subsequently demonstrated a 10 h 50 min multicopter test flight using Intelligent Energy’s lightweight 650 W Fuel Cell Power Module (FCPM), which is believed to be the longest flight time of its kind – up to three times longer than when using compressed gaseous hydrogen. MetaVista used 390 g of liquid hydrogen stored in a 6 litre, ultralight-weight, liquid hydrogen storage cylinder that it specifically developed to work with the FCPM. The MetaVista liquid hydrogen system coupled with the 650 W FCPM system provides an excellent 1865 Wh/kg energy density. Intelligent Energy offers 650 W [FCB, October 2017, p4] and 800 W [October 2018, p6] versions of its lightweight FCPM for the commercial UAV market.
Productiv: www.productiv.co.uk NanoSUN Ltd: www.nanosun.co.uk MetaVista USA: www.metavistausa.com MetaVista test flight video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U_dHZZ3vxQ
HES Hycopter drone highlighted by Dubai Police at Intersec 2019
S
ingapore-based H3 Dynamics and its HES Energy Systems subsidiary
6
Fuel Cells Bulletin
Norled to build world's first hydrogen ferry, to enter service in 2021
T
he Norwegian Public Roads Administration and ferry operator Norled AS have signed an agreement for the construction of what is claimed to be the world’s first hydrogenelectric ferry, which will begin zeroemissions operation in 2021. Norled won the development contract in close competition with Fjord1 and Boreal Sjø/Wärtsilä
Ship Design [FCB, March 2018, p6], to develop, construct and operate a hydrogen-electric ferry where at least 50% of the energy requirement is covered by hydrogen. Norled and its partners and suppliers will now take the project forward to commence operations in 2021. The hydrogenelectric ferry will connect National Road 13 between Hjelmeland, Skipavik and Nesvik in the western county of Rogaland, carrying up to 80 cars and 299 passengers. ‘I’m impressed by the work done by the shipping companies and their partners,’ says Terje Moe Gustavsen, Director of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. ‘We’ve been offered three good solutions. The work has been extensive, and many players are involved. The shipping companies’ class [classification] companies, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, and the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) have been important players. The work has linked a lot of the latest in innovative, climate-friendly and future-oriented maritime technology.’ The Norwegian government’s PILOT-E scheme recently awarded grants to develop and realise maritime projects utilising hydrogen fuel cell technologies, with Hyon AS working on a high-speed ferry and a short-sea coastal freighter, and Havyard Group developing a zero-emissions ROPAX (roll-on/roll-off freight and passenger) vessel [January 2019, p3]. Norled AS: www.norled.no/en Norwegian Public Roads Administration: www.vegvesen.no/en
Hydrogenious and FZ Jülich to cooperate for hydrogen mobility
H
ydrogenious Technologies GmbH and the Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Centre in Germany have joined forces to further develop and commercialise the Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) technology for mobile applications, with the recent signing of a strategic cooperation agreement. Hydrogenious sees the partnership as an important milestone towards the future zeroemissions, safe, and efficient operation of public and freight transport with hydrogen. The cooperation focuses on onboard systems for trains, ships, and heavy-duty vehicles, and on the further development of the Direct LOHC fuel cell technology. In mobile applications, LOHC enables infrastructure-compatible refueling and the operation of vehicles similar to today’s liquid fuels. The high storage density of LOHC easily
February 2019