UAVEndure II · Project

Fuel Cell Drone Power That Flies 10x Longer Than Batteries

transportPilotedTRL 7

Imagine your drone runs out of battery after 30 minutes, but you need it in the air for hours — covering a pipeline, surveying farmland, or monitoring a coastline. This team built a compact fuel cell system called ELJUN that replaces the battery pack in small drones and delivers 10x the flight range. Think of it like swapping your phone's battery for a tiny generator that keeps running. The result: small, affordable drones can now do jobs that used to require expensive helicopters or massive military-grade aircraft.

By the numbers

10x

More flight range than LiPO battery

EUR 2,485,875

EU contribution for development

Industry partners across 2 countries (DE, DK)

100%

Industry ratio in consortium

25 kg

Weight threshold above which current long-endurance drones operate

The business problem

What needed solving

Small electric drones run out of battery too quickly — typically under an hour — making them useless for long missions like pipeline inspection, large-area surveying, or extended surveillance. The only current alternatives are large drones over 25 kg or manned helicopters, both of which come with high capital and operating costs. When many small drones are deployed for time-critical missions, managing and charging dozens of battery packs becomes a logistics nightmare.

The solution

What was built

The team built ELJUN, a compact fuel cell propulsion system designed to replace LiPO batteries in small fixed-wing UAVs, delivering 10x more flight range. Project deliverables include a first prototype fuel tank and 4 additional deliverables supporting development and validation.

Audience

Who needs this

Drone OEMs looking to offer long-endurance models without increasing airframe sizeAgricultural drone service companies covering large farmland areasPipeline and powerline inspection contractors replacing helicopter surveysMaritime surveillance and border patrol agenciesMapping and surveying firms needing single-flight coverage of large zones

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Precision Agriculture & Land Surveying

SME

Target: Drone service companies offering crop monitoring or topographic mapping

If you are a drone survey operator dealing with constant battery swaps that cut your productive flight time — this project developed ELJUN, a fuel cell propulsion system that delivers 10x more flight range than standard LiPO batteries. That means you can cover entire farms or construction sites in a single flight instead of landing every 30 minutes to recharge. Fewer interruptions means faster project delivery and lower operating costs per square kilometer.

Energy & Utility Infrastructure

mid-size

Target: Pipeline and powerline inspection companies

If you are an energy infrastructure operator spending heavily on helicopter inspections for pipelines, wind turbines, or transmission lines — this project built a small UAV power system that extends flight endurance to match what previously required large manned aircraft or drones over 25 kg. ELJUN enables small fixed-wing drones to cover long linear infrastructure routes without refuelling stops. This cuts inspection costs significantly compared to manned helicopter operations.

Maritime & Border Security

enterprise

Target: Coast guard agencies and maritime surveillance contractors

If you are a maritime surveillance operator struggling with limited drone endurance for coastal or border patrol — this project created a fuel cell system enabling small UAVs to stay airborne far longer than battery-powered alternatives. With 10x the range of LiPO batteries, a single small drone can patrol larger maritime zones without the logistics of managing dozens of battery packs. This directly addresses the problem of handling and charging many battery packs during time-critical missions.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does ELJUN cost compared to standard drone batteries?

The project data does not disclose unit pricing for ELJUN. However, the objective states the rationale is to provide high endurance at a downsized scale and price not attempted before, positioning it as a cost-effective alternative to large drone systems with internal combustion engines that have high CAPEX and OPEX.

Can ELJUN scale to fit different drone models?

ELJUN was designed to cover the needs of drone OEMs and end-users for increased flight range of small UAVs. The system targets small fixed-wing drones as a power module, suggesting it is designed as an integration-ready component. Based on available project data, the product is aimed at being a cross-platform solution for the small UAV segment.

Who owns the IP and can I license this technology?

The consortium is 100% industry — SKY-WATCH A/S (Denmark) and a German partner, both SMEs. IP is likely held by these two companies. Since the project was funded under the EIC SME Instrument Phase 2, the technology is intended for commercialization by the consortium partners. Licensing inquiries should be directed to SKY-WATCH.

Is this approved for commercial drone operations?

The project objective mentions civil and governmental applications as target markets. Based on available project data, specific aviation certifications or regulatory approvals are not detailed. Drone operators would need to verify compliance with local aviation authority rules for fuel cell-powered UAVs.

How far along is this — can I buy it today?

The project completed in May 2022 under the EIC SME Instrument Phase 2, which funds close-to-market innovation. A first prototype tank was delivered during the project. The product ELJUN was being positioned to become a new reference in the sector, suggesting active commercialization efforts post-project.

How does ELJUN integrate with existing drones?

ELJUN is described as a fuel cell propulsion system designed for drone OEMs and end-users. The project combined small fixed-wing UAV technology with downsized fuel cell power generation. Based on available project data, it functions as a replacement power module for LiPO battery packs in small UAV platforms.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a lean, commercially focused consortium — just 2 SME partners from Denmark and Germany, both from industry, with zero academic involvement. That is a strong signal of market intent rather than research exploration. SKY-WATCH A/S is a Danish drone manufacturer that brought the airframe expertise, while the German partner KraftWerk contributed fuel cell technology. The EUR 2,485,875 EU contribution under the EIC SME Instrument Phase 2 further confirms this was close-to-market development, not basic research. For a business buyer, this means you are dealing with companies that built this to sell it, not to publish papers about it.

SKY-WATCH A/SCoordinator · DK
KRAFTWERK TUBES GMBHparticipant · DE

How to reach the team

SKY-WATCH A/S is a Danish drone company — their team can be reached through their website or via SciTransfer for a facilitated introduction.

Order a report on this consortium See SKY-WATCH A/S profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to evaluate ELJUN for your drone fleet or OEM integration? SciTransfer can arrange a direct technical briefing with the development team.

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