Honeywell has unveiled a collaboration with the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), to pioneer a cartridge-based hydrogen fuel storage solution tailored for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). In a year-long partnership, Honeywell is set to contribute its technological expertise, comprehensive testing of fuel cartridge technology, robust supply chain support, prototyping capabilities, and rigorous fuel cell evaluations, all in pursuit of the “Fuel Additives for Solid Hydrogen (FLASH) Carriers in Electric Aviation” project.
UAVs are rapidly gaining traction across a spectrum of industrial applications, including surveying, infrastructure inspection, and security. These versatile aerial vehicles have disrupted traditional practices that relied on inefficient ground-based vehicles or risk-laden piloted helicopters. While battery-powered electric UAVs have proven their worth in short-range applications, they falter when tasked with long-range and heavy-payload missions.
The FLASH project is set to introduce a groundbreaking approach in which efficient and long-lasting hydrogen storage is seamlessly coupled with a fuel cell that efficiently converts hydrogen to electricity to power electric UAV flights. The outcome will be extended-range flights devoid of the noise and emissions associated with traditional combustion engines. This innovation will enable delicate drone applications, including atmospheric monitoring, where the absence of exhaust gases and disruptive engines is paramount to achieving peak performance.
Katherine Hurst, NREL senior scientist and group manager, explained, “Today’s long-range drones often rely on internal combustion engines. Although these engines provide the required range that battery-powered electric UAVs lack, they come with issues such as excessive noise, vibration, and emissions, including carbon emissions. This collaboration presents an exhilarating opportunity to showcase the performance of hydrogen storage materials developed in our laboratory in conjunction with Honeywell, powering a real-life flying vehicle.”
Central to the FLASH project’s success is the focus on a solid material capable of rapidly releasing hydrogen gas for utilization by the fuel cell. This material boasts a high hydrogen capacity and functions efficiently at low temperatures (approximately 100°C). Its versatility aligns perfectly with the diverse requirements of industrial hydrogen delivery.
Dave Shilliday, vice president and general manager of Urban Air Mobility and Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, underscored the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership with NREL exemplifies Honeywell’s commitment to shaping the future of sustainable aviation. Hydrogen holds the potential to offer remarkable advantages to electric vertical take-off and landing systems in terms of endurance and range. Additionally, harnessing hydrogen as a power source expands the horizons of UAV capabilities, transcending the limitations posed by battery-electric powertrains. Honeywell is poised to collaborate closely with NREL to develop the essential hydrogen-related technology, thereby contributing to the further expansion of the industry.”