In a revolutionary finding at the H2 Mobility Energy Environment Technology (MEET) conference in Seoul, South Korea, Hogreen Air—an innovative South Korean company—unveiled a hydrogen-powered drone.
This high-speed, long-range drone marks a major breakthrough in aviation technology.
Running from September 25 to 27, the conference became the stage for showcasing this cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that promises to revolutionize drone technology.
The drone, designed for long-duration surveillance and reconnaissance, utilizes hydrogen fuel cells that can be powered either by gas or liquid hydrogen.
This enables the UAV to fly for up to 14 hours, carrying a maximum payload of 10 kg. One of its most remarkable features is its extensive operating range, enabling it to be controlled remotely from distances as far as 5,800 miles.
For instance, the drone was recently flown in Germany, with operators stationed in South Korea, approximately 5,778 miles away.
Similarly, it has autonomously flown in the US, covering a distance of 5,618 miles from its operators in South Korea.
This leap in drone technology is powered by advanced communication systems, including radio frequency and LTE/5G, enabling global control via mobile network connection.
The adoption of hydrogen fuel cells is another major advantage.
Compared to traditional drones that rely on lithium batteries and can only fly for 10 to 30 minutes, Hogreen Air’s drone can operate for more than 14 hours.
These fuel cells are powered by liquified hydrogen, which is 800 times denser than hydrogen gas, providing a more compact and efficient energy source.
A spokesperson for Hogreen Air highlighted the drone’s high speed, long endurance, and superior communication systems as key factors that enable it to achieve such impressive performance levels.
This innovative drone also marks a significant step in promoting green energy through the use of hydrogen fuel cells.
Hogreen Air’s expertise lies in creating stable systems for the drone industry, offering customized services for defense, industry, education, and various other sectors.
The company specializes in accident and safety management for UAVs, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and serviceability.
Founded with a mission to promote green energy, Hogreen Air is well-regarded for its comprehensive range of drone hardware, software, and solutions.
They have developed the ‘Hydrogen Power Pack,’ which is a power generator system that combines hydrogen fuel cells and tanks.
Furthermore, the company holds several patents, including those for ‘LTE-Based High-Speed Encryption of Video Data’ and ‘Unmanned Pesticide Supply System.’
Their developments span various fields, such as agriculture, defence, and artificial intelligence (AI).
The company’s PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cell platform is noted for its high-performance air-cooled fuel cells, which use minimal peripheral components, ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness.
This system generates clean DC power from supplied hydrogen, emitting only pure water vapor.
Additionally, it operates with minimal noise and vibration, offering environmental advantages over conventional diesel generators.
Owing to these advanced features, the drone can effectively conduct search-and-rescue operations, locating missing individuals using an AI-based facial recognition program.
In 2022, UK-based Intelligent Energy (IE) signed a memorandum of understanding with Hogreen Air in Yokohama to produce IE’s 100kW hydrogen fuel cell, IE-DRIVETM, marking another step forward in hydrogen technology for drones.