Green Energy UAV Propulsion System Takes a Leap with H3 Dynamics and Hylium Industries' Joint Venture

20 Mar 2023

The aviation industry has long been searching for ways to reduce its carbon footprint, and green energy technology is the answer. H3 Dynamics, a Singapore-based zero-emission propulsion developer, has recently announced a joint venture with South Korea’s Hylium Industries to incorporate liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage into its distributed hydrogen-electric propulsion systems.

This partnership marks a significant leap toward sustainable aviation, with the potential to drastically reduce carbon emissions from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other aircraft. 

This blog post will take a closer look at H3 Dynamics and Hylium Industries' partnership, exploring the benefits of LH2 storage for green energy UAV propulsion systems and its potential impact on the aviation industry.

Here’s the complete story 

H3 Dynamics and Hylium Industries have formed a partnership to enhance the efficiency of zero-emission hydrogen-electric drone flights. Hylium Industries, based in South Korea, will incorporate its liquid hydrogen storage and liquefication solutions into H3 Dynamics' hydrogen-electric propulsion nacelles, ultra-light fuel cells, and its recently announced hydrogen drone refuelling station, H2FIELD. 

The use of liquid hydrogen, which can store three times more energy than compressed gas, will enable small electric-powered unmanned systems to fly further, with a 25 kg drone able to travel over 900 km with a single liquid hydrogen fill. The partnership will also involve upgrades to H3 Dynamics' H2FIELD to enable it to fill liquid hydrogen tanks. 

According to H3 Dynamics' CEO, Taras Wankewycz, the combination of the two companies' solutions represents the global performance limit for low-altitude electric-powered flights. The H2FIELD refuelling station can produce hydrogen in the field to refuel a range of drones and UAVs, making it suitable for long-range applications.


What is a UAV propulsion system? 

A UAV propulsion system is a combination of components that provide the power and thrust required to propel a drone or UAV through the air. This typically includes an electric motor or combustion engine, a propeller or rotor, a battery or fuel tank, and a controller or autopilot system. 

In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on developing zero-emission propulsion systems for UAVs, such as hydrogen-electric or electric-only systems, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of drone flights. These systems typically rely on lightweight components, high-efficiency power sources, and advanced control systems to maximize performance while minimizing energy use. 

The development of advanced UAV propulsion systems is critical for a range of applications, including aerial surveying, delivery, search and rescue, and military operations.

According to the BIS Research report, the global UAV propulsion system market is estimated to reach $10.76 billion in 2033 from $8.36 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 2.33% during the forecast period 2023-2033 in terms of value. 


The growth of the global UAV propulsion system market is anticipated to be propelled by defense and government applications, as significant capital investment is required for the development of these propulsion systems. 

Nevertheless, the commercial sector is projected to experience a surge in demand during the forecast period due to the increasing utilization of UAVs in commercial applications, which has resulted in the investment in more technologically advanced propulsion systems.

How can green energy UAV propulsion system initiatives reduce carbon footprint? 

Green energy UAV propulsion system initiatives have the potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of drone flights. This is because traditional combustion-based propulsion systems rely on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In contrast, green energy UAV propulsion systems use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydrogen fuel cells to power the drone, resulting in significantly lower carbon emissions.

For example, hydrogen-electric UAV propulsion systems use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power the drone's electric motor. The only by-product of this process is water vapor, making it a clean and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional combustion-based propulsion systems. Similarly, electric-only UAV propulsion systems rely on batteries that can be charged using renewable energy sources, resulting in zero emissions during flight.

By reducing the carbon footprint of drone flights, green energy UAV propulsion systems can help to mitigate the impact of the aviation industry on climate change. This is especially important as drone technology continues to evolve and their use becomes more widespread in industries such as delivery, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection.

Conclusion

With the rise of commercial drone applications and the increasing need for environmentally friendly technologies, the development of advanced UAV propulsion systems is more important than ever before. As the industry continues to evolve, it is exciting to see innovative companies like H3 Dynamics and Hylium Industries leading the way toward a more sustainable future for drone technology. 

Interested to know more about the developing technologies in your industry vertical? Get the latest market studies and insights from BIS Research. Connect with us at [email protected] to learn and understand more.

 
 

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