Performance assessment of integrated unmanned aerial vehicles with different renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources are attracting great attention these days with the objective of minimizing greenhouse gases (produced from fossil fuel burning) and securing the needed power for industrial and human activities. The literature showed a great potential to use renewable energy in aerospace vehicles, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This research proposal aims to evaluate and optimize different renewable and clean power sources to be used for driving UAVs. These sources include fuel cells, batteries, and photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. The study will focus on UAVs' main design and performance factors such as power efficiency, endurance, and size. In addition, the integration of two or more power sources such as fuel cells and batteries; fuel cells and PV cells; and fuel cells, batteries, and PV cells will be assessed. Each powering system will be mathematically investigated to be integrated into UAVs to estimate the desired performance. This study will suggest optimized powering sources for different types of UAVs.