Using Intelligent Energy’s IE-SOAR™ 2.4kW on a Harris Aerial H6 airframe, the company was able to compare fuel cells with ICE hybrid technology.

Reginald Wycoff, Shell Pipeline Aviation Manager, said it marks an important step in the future of commercial aerial surveillance and SOAR fuel cell powered aircraft offer high performance with low noise and zero emissions.

He said, “The technology has enabled Shell to conduct aerial safety patrols of the Falcon pipeline without the risks inherent to manned aircraft and with minimal impact to the local community.”

Fuel cells provide significantly longer flight times for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) when compared with traditional battery power. This makes them an ideal solution for commercial operators who require extended flight time to capture data over large areas.

They provide many benefits, including increased operational efficiency largely driven by reduced downtime versus a combustion engine. With reduced maintenance and zero-emission operation, Intelligent Energy’s fuel cell modules offer a unique solution to improving the performance of drones presently constrained by the limitations of batteries.

Chief Pilot, AviSight, said after operating the Harris Aerial H6 with an internal combustion engine, it did not take long to realise the benefits of the IE-SOAR hydrogen fuel cell. “Almost non-existent noise pollution, low maintenance operation, and smooth power delivery make the IE-SOAR fuel cell powered H6 Hydrone a pleasure to operate,” he said.

Andy Kelly, Head of Product Line at Intelligent Energy, said: “Using fuel cells in real commercial operations has allowed Shell to experience the benefits first hand. Pipeline inspection is an ideal application for fuel cell UAVs, where increased range increases efficiency.

Intelligent Energy is focused on the development and manufacture of its Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell products for customers in the automotive, aerospace, generator, telecoms, materials handling and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sectors.

The company is headquartered and manufactures in Loughborough in the UK, with additional offices and representation in the US, Japan, China and South Korea.