Power Distribution Architecture for Lightweight Hybrid Fuel Cell–Battery Drone Systems

This paper proposes a hydrogen fuel cell (FC) and battery hybrid architecture for drone applications. To determine the optimal hybrid structure, existing battery hybrid configurations are compared, and based on the comparison results, a structure optimized for weight and efficiency is selected. The proposed system defines five distinct operating modes, each of which is analyzed in detail to ensure functional clarity. To validate the proposed configuration, experimental tests are conducted using an actual FC stack and a drone battery pack. The results demonstrate the feasibility and stable operation of the proposed fuel cell hybrid drone system.