ELENA
Use of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles for environmentally sustainable applications (Completed)
Consortium Leader
Project partner:
New standards for climate-neutral UAV systems
The ELENA project has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle that paves the way for ecological drone applications thanks to its sustainable design and energy supply. The hybrid energy system combines hydrogen, photovoltaics and electric propulsion with an AI-supported energy management system. The system is complemented by bio-based composites for UAV structures and optimised flight control for safe BVLOS operations.
The aim is to test innovative, autonomous drone systems for practical use in areas such as forestry, agriculture, viticulture and fruit growing, as well as in crisis and disaster management.
ELENA maiden flight 2024 – by AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
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Key project objectives:
Contribution to sustainable aviation and safe integration into airspace
Through close coordination with all partners, particularly in the area of safety-related processes, AIRlabs Austria is making a significant contribution to the practical implementation of sustainable UAV technologies. The findings from ELENA are being incorporated into further projects for the safe integration of unmanned systems into airspace – particularly in connection with alternative propulsion systems such as hydrogen.
ELENA is a research project within the FFG TAKE OFF programme and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI).
AIRlabs Austria
Operating concepts, approval and test infrastructure
AIRlabs Austria was primarily responsible for developing the operating concept for UAV test flights under realistic conditions in the ELENA project. This included risk analysis, coordination and application for the necessary airspace, and the development of procedures for official approval of the integrated parachute system. Together with AIT and Austro Control, regulatory and technical requirements for the safe operation of the system were defined, including special safety measures for the transport of hydrogen as an energy source. The resulting operational concept ultimately enabled successful official approval by the Austrian aviation authority, including an emergency plan and risk assessment.
Building on these requirements, AIRlabs supported the implementation of a multi-stage testing and evaluation process, culminating in a successful flight demonstration at Punitz Airfield. As the existing test areas were not suitable due to the required flat surface area of around 100 metres, AIRlabs actively supported the search for a location and set up the necessary infrastructure in close coordination with Punitz Airfield. The operation was supplemented by a proven communication and emergency procedure and assessed on site by Austro Control.
Sources
https://www.ffg.at/sites/default/files/allgemeine_downloads/thematische%20programme/Mobilitaet/Take%20Off/elena_takeoff_praesentation_v1.pdf
https://www.ait.ac.at/labs/aerial-systems-lab
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