Hydrogen powered airship tested at Skellefteå Droneport

Elias Lingensjö is studying Engineering Physics at Umeå University. Together with his former classmate Henrik Berggren, he is developing a five metre long hydrogen powered airship designed to operate like a drone.

The idea is to combine the airship’s ability to remain airborne for long periods with modern technology that enables it to navigate and carry out missions independently. The goal is for the airship to stay in the air for several days without landing, which could open up possibilities for long duration inspections of power lines, railways and other infrastructure.

From idea to flight testing at Skellefteå Droneport

During the development process, Elias has carried out several tests with the airship at Skellefteå Droneport. Here, he has been able to test the solution in practice and gradually develop both the technology and the concept.

Skellefteå Droneport is a test environment for the development of drones and autonomous aviation systems. It provides companies, researchers and innovators with opportunities to test new solutions in an environment designed for development and practical flight testing.

“Skellefteå Droneport has given us the opportunity to get out there and actually test the airship. It is only when you test the technology in practice that you discover what works and what needs further development,” says Elias Lingensjö.

The project has also generated interest in potential future applications. Elias has presented the concept to Skellefteå Kraft and the Swedish Transport Administration, among others, where long duration inspections of power lines and railway infrastructure could be one possible use.

Scholarship supports further development

The project is one of two to receive an additional scholarship from Sammes Foundation following this year’s summer scholarship programme. Elias previously received SEK 40,000 for the development work and has now been awarded an additional SEK 50,000.

“The scholarship gives us the opportunity to spend more time on development and take the next step towards a complete prototype. The goal is to create a solution that is both flexible and useful for real world needs,” says Elias Lingensjö.

For Skellefteå Droneport, the project demonstrates how the test environment can be used to test technology at an early stage and gather the knowledge needed to develop an idea further.