Can SOFC Work With Wind & Solar?

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.

Performer Series systems are designed to integrate easily with wind, solar, rechargeable batteries and other technologies to create a hybrid clean energy solution. Here’s how.

Our Performer Series SOFC are highly durable battery chargers that run on propane and offer reliable power for periods of high load and low wind or solar resource. This is a common application for our customers in colder climates, such as Alaska or northern Canada, that rely heavily on alternative energy sources.

While other technologies — like diesel generators or direct methanol fuel cells — can fail in cold weather, Performer Series SOFC are engineered to store, start and operate in temperatures from -40°C to 50°C. They produce no liquid water and are constructed of heat-resistant ceramic tubes that will not freeze. That’s why they excel in colder locations.

The patented microtubular stack design allows for redundancy, ensuring the system will power the load no matter what. This unique design also yields a highly durable, lightweight product that is easy to transport and has a small footprint. This is important when space is a consideration, such as on a solar trailer.

The SOFC undergo rigorous vibration testing to simulate how they might react to being transported in a truck, placed on a trailer or operated beside a railroad. They have been proven – in the lab and in the field – to withstand a high degree of vibration, making them ideal for a range of applications.

With a fuel consumption of .25lb of propane per hour, efficiency is a powerful benefit. A 20-lb propane tank can offer 80 hours of runtime, providing plenty of time to schedule a refueling site visit. Plus, propane is cleaner than diesel and more accessible than hydrogen.

Key Benefits of SOFC When Paired With Wind or Solar:

  1. Unlike batteries, SOFC are lightweight, easy to transport and can store more power in propane.
  2. Smaller trailers can be used, as SOFC reduce the number of solar panels and/or batteries required.
  3. Site visits can be as few as one per year, due to the low maintenance needs and high fuel efficiency of SOFC.
  4. System performance can be monitored from anywhere because SOFC have flexible communications that can integrate with third-party systems.

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