Experimental Performance Assessment of an Electric UAV with an Alternative Distributed Propulsion Configuration Implemented for Wetland Monitoring

Wetland monitoring technification for the Ecuadorian Andean region based on a multi-agent framework

“…The aircraft layout was developed using the operating conditions of the Pugllohuma wetland and the two payloads (RGB and multispectral camera). In this sense, an electrical fixed-wing drone was tailored to operate at high Andean wetland conditions using in-house aircraft design tools [17] , [22] , which enabled to determine: endurance, propulsion type, power supply, and airframe configuration. As a result, the UAV components were selected to achieve an endurance of 40 minutes at 4000 MASL, which were considered optimum for the harsh conditions of the zone (16 m/s wind gusts).…”

“…Besides, a high level of automation can be achieved at a low operational cost by using small electric UAVs. Notwithstanding, as is shown in [22] , [23] , the harsh operating conditions in high Andean ecosystems, such as low temperatures, strong wind gusts, and low air density; must be considered, when tailoring a commercial UAV for wetland monitoring. For instance, strong wind-gusts affect maneuverability and stability, reducing endurance dramatically, as the UAV needs to drain more energy from the battery to keep the aircraft within the planned path.…”

Development Trends in Vehicle Propulsion Sources—A Short Review

“…Besides cars, hybrid and battery drives are being tested in aviation [58][59][60] or marine ships [61]. Decarbonisation in densely populated areas like cities, where fuel cell buses with a supercapacitor are being used successfully [62], is very important.…”