German greentech company Enapter AG has received a pilot order worth approximately EUR 0.5 million from a US drone manufacturer. The order includes AEM electrolysers from the 4.1 series, with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. The electrolysers will be integrated into mobile, all-terrain refueling systems that generate hydrogen on-site from water and solar power, without requiring a grid connection.
This approach eliminates the need for complex transport and storage of hydrogen in large compressed gas cylinders, which has been a major barrier to operating hydrogen-powered drones in remote areas. Hydrogen propulsion offers drones significantly longer flight and mission times compared to battery-electric systems, and refueling can be done quickly.
The pilot project marks Enapter's entry into a field where its modular AEM technology provides distinct advantages: compact design, robust operation, and scalability by adding modules as hydrogen demand grows. The global market for long-range, long-endurance drones is expanding rapidly, and this order positions Enapter to capture a share of that growth.
Dr Jürgen Laakmann, CEO of Enapter AG, said, "This order underlines how far the applications of our technology reach beyond classic industrial use. In this case hydrogen is generated flexibly where it is needed - free of complex supply chains and of any fuel logistics. That is exactly what our modular, low-maintenance AEM technology was built for. We see considerable growth potential in mobile refuelling solutions and are pleased to be developing this field together with a technologically leading customer."
Enapter's AEM electrolysers use anion exchange membrane technology, which does not rely on expensive rare materials like iridium. The modular design enables efficient and scalable green hydrogen production, even when energy from solar or wind is intermittent. Thousands of Enapter electrolysers are already deployed across more than 360 customers in over 55 countries.
The order is strategically important for Enapter as it diversifies beyond traditional industrial hydrogen applications. Mobile refueling systems for drones represent a niche with high growth potential, driven by the need for reliable, clean energy in defense, logistics, and other sectors requiring extended drone operations. By developing this application with a leading customer, Enapter can establish a foothold in a market where scalability is key.
As the drone industry continues to evolve, the ability to produce hydrogen on-site reduces logistical dependencies and operational costs, making hydrogen-powered drones more viable for commercial and governmental use. This pilot could pave the way for broader adoption, potentially influencing how future drone fleets are powered.
Enapter AG is listed on the Frankfurt and Hamburg stock exchanges under the ticker H2O. The company's technology is already in use worldwide, and this order adds to its track record of innovative hydrogen solutions. For more information about Enapter and its products, visit their website.
