Case Study: Designing SOFCs Into An Offgrid Power System

Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are playing an increasingly critical role in the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that take place across complex landscapes around the globe. Whether the ISR mission is a military operation or an effort by border control agents or search-and-rescue teams, UAVs increase the situational awareness that leads to timely and effective decision-making in situations where the stakes are high. What makes uncrewed systems such a crucial tool for achieving an in-field advantage? Developed to carry a wide variety of payloads, UAVs facilitate the gathering and transmission of accurate data to key human actors in real or near-real time for a distinct in-field advantage.

Optical gimbal cameras are often the payload of choice for ISR missions. With a multitude of sensors (color and IR), laser pointers and range finders, geolocation capabilities, image stabilization, optical and digital zoom, and real-time data transmission, these cameras are ideal for a real-time data exchange that provides critical information to decision-makers in the field.  

Automated Tracking to Support the Operator and the Mission

Endurance flight times for small UAV can reach upwards of 20 hours, which means long shifts for the operator to monitor live footage—a mentally taxing endeavor. Two real-time data transmission features that can ease this burden and support those leading the mission are Moving Target Indicator and Object Tracking.

A Moving Target Indicator (MTI) is a comprehensive software function that uses onboarding image processing for data that is transmitted to the ground control station. By clearly differentiating between a moving target and background clutter, MTI provides the human decision-maker with clearer and more actionable intel. When using this feature, the operator is able to select modes such as “large object MTI” or “small object MTI” to more easily spot objects of varying sizes during an ISR mission. In either mode, these objects will not drift out of the UAV’s sights even when the angle or loitering position changes.

Large object MTI specifically helps the operator detect vehicles, drones, planes, and human targets. During a fast-paced mission, this data gives the operator a vital edge. User friendly and quick to respond, large object MTI can be easily switched to “tracking mode” on the indicated object while also continuing to observe and track other moving objects in the frame. This unique ability to toggle between multiple objects allows the operator to focus on the main target without losing coverage on additional moving objects that may provide essential intelligence.

 Small object MTI, on the other hand, assists the operator in challenging environments where the terrain is homogenous (for example, a dense forest), thus making it more difficult for a human operator to detect small or slow-moving targets. This feature automatically extracts valuable intelligence from the video stream in real time, allowing the operator to locate objects in a landscape that is complex or otherwise challenging. Small object MTI helps the operator review images at a much faster rate, allowing for swift yet accurate judgment calls that are crucial to mission success. This feature is especially beneficial in search-and-rescue missions where every passing second could be the difference between life and death. Once the target is located, the operator can zoom in to activate automatic object tracking and relay critical information to the rest of the team.

Whether the ISR  objective is executing military surveillance, locating missing persons during a natural disaster, or monitoring suspicious activity on a national border, payload cameras with Moving Target Indicator and Object Tracking features are not merely the human operator’s “eyes in the sky”—they are an advanced tool that improves situational awareness and accurate data transmission at a speed that can save lives and increase the likelihood of mission success. Edge Autonomy is committed to robust innovations that allow teams to share data and communicate more effectively, thereby improving the outcome of ISR missions in a variety of environments. Interested in the advanced optical gimbal cameras in Edge Autonomy’s Octopus line of ISR systems? Learn more about our cutting-edge solutions here.

The northern border in Washington State is so mountainous that cellular reception is not available, and many satellite phones do not work. For the USDA Forest Service, rangers have to rely on radio repeaters to maintain vital communication — especially during emergencies. As shared in this interview with Stacy Griffith, the Alaska Region Radio Manager, the issue was finding an offgrid power solution to keep the small 100W radio stations powered, regardless of weather conditions.

The Problem:
At these offgrid and high-altitude locations, equipment and fuel must be airlifted, which is expensive. The agencies were spending thousands of dollars just on maintaining the radio repeaters. And the solar arrays frequently lost power due to harsh weather and low sunlight — compromising critical communications.

The Forest Service needed to install a dependable backup power source, but several common solutions failed to meet their needs. Wind is typically used to backup solar arrays, but it was not viable because extreme winter weather would cause the turbines to ice over and stop working. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) is another common backup source, but high fuel needs and inefficiency in extreme cold temperatures took it out of consideration. And airlifting hydrogen to power a Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEM) was not a viable option.

The Solution
The Forest Service redesigned the entire power system for their radio repeaters to include a Performer Series P250i Solid Oxide Fuel Cell to supplement the solar array during times of low sunlight.

Benefits of Designing Performer Series P250i SOFC Into A Power System:

  • Performance in extreme weather
  • Ability to customize
  • Flexible voltage
  • 250 cycles
  • Remote monitoring
  • Fuel efficiency
  • Low maintenance needs
  • Reliable 250W output


While other technologies fail in extreme cold, P250i excels because it is engineered to store, start and operate in temperatures from -40°C to 50°C. It produces no liquid water and is constructed of heat-resistant ceramic tubes that will not freeze. So the radio stations will stay up even in the harshest weather.

Plus, the system is unique in the market because it’s specifically designed as a battery tender to cycle up to 250 times. And engineered with automation features, it is easier to control remotely than other backup technologies.

Results
40 radio repeater sites now include a Performer Series P250i as part of the power system. None of the sites have lost power due to the SOFC.

  1. Due to the high efficiency of P250i, the agency does just 10 helicopter refueling visits per year. That is spread across 40 sites in their sector, which spans 308 miles or 46,000 sq mi.
  2. $3,000 is the average fuel cost per year for all 40 sites combined — compared to the same fuel cost to power just one radio site using other technologies.
  3. The minimal noise signature of P250i keeps the agency compliant with their mandate to minimize environmental impact.
  4. Adaptive Energy customized the P250i enclosure to fit into existing buildings. It features custom brackets and venting created exclusively for this use case.
  5. Other federal agencies seek the guidance of Forest Service on designing efficient power systems for offgrid sites that experience harsh weather.
  6. Due to its power output relative to size, fuel efficiency and flexible voltage options, P250i offered the reliable backup Forest Service needed to keep their critical communications infrastructure running. Learn more about our work with Forest Service in this interview.

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