February 15
Toronto, Ontario
Film and TV Studios’ commitment to climate action drives first-of-its-kind hydrogen power solution
New hydrogen power service combines low-carbon fuel and zero-emissions technology to free film & TV productions from reliance on diesel for mobile power generation.
[Toronto, Ontario]: H₂ OnSet proudly announces the launch of a new hydrogen power service that provides film & TV productions with the means to supply all the electricity needed for location shoots, but without the emissions impact of traditional diesel-fueled generators.
The first deployments of the H₂ OnSet service will occur in Toronto – one of North America’s leading markets for motion picture production – in the summer of 2024 and will launch in other major markets shortly thereafter. H₂ OnSet was developed in close consultation with frontline personnel in film & TV production to help the industry meet its decarbonization goals. Using local, low-carbon hydrogen suppliers, H₂ OnSet’s on-demand drop-and-swap service provides customers with uninterrupted power.
“This is a game changer for the film & TV industry,” says David Hardy, Chief Market Development Officer at H₂ OnSet. “The ability to deliver low-carbon hydrogen fuel to production crews where, when and as needed, anchors all the other zero-emission power technologies on set, such as rechargeable batteries, to a low-carbon energy system.”
H₂ OnSet will launch with a first-of-a-kind power unit built by Sommers Generator Systems. Sommers, established in 1936, is the leading Canadian manufacturer and distributor of premium quality generator systems for prime, standby, portable and towable power designed and built for institutional, industrial, commercial, and residential applications with an extensive network of dealers.
“We are delighted to distribute our hydrogen generators through H₂ OnSet as the exclusive dealer in the North American film & TV sector,” says Chris McGregor, President of Sommers Generator Systems. “The H₂ OnSet team has been a trusted partner with a clear line-of-sight on the needs of this market throughout the development of our revolutionary generator.”
“The new generator is capable of a sustained AC power output of 165 kW,” says Ry Smith, Chief Technical Officer for Change Energy. “This size hits a sweet spot for Film & TV productions, being a common power rating for generators throughout North America.”
Development of the H₂ OnSet hydrogen power service is supported by the climate tech accelerator, Third Derivative, as a part of the Clean Mobile Power Cohort. The cohort is part of the Clean Mobile Power Initiative, which was launched last June by Netflix and The Walt Disney Company, with the participation and support of Third Derivative and RMI. Having met the rigorous performance requirements for participation, H₂ OnSet was invited into a cohort of only ten startups selected for the Initiative.
“The Clean Mobile Power Initiative is a potent expression of the Film & TV industry’s commitment to climate action,” says David Hardy. “H₂ OnSet is thrilled to work alongside the industry’s leaders in commercializing systems of sustainability – not only in this sector, but eventually in other industries that rely on mobile power generation.”
H₂ OnSet is the film industry focused business offering incubated through Change Energy, a leading strategic engineering firm focused on the low carbon economy. Change Energy identifies a broad and growing market gap from clients seeking cost effective and safe services and solutions as they transition to hydrogen as a fuel alternative.
Clean Mobile Power Initiative aims to identify and deliver cost-competitive, zero-emissions mobile power at scale for the entertainment industry, including developing alternatives to diesel generators, which currently account for roughly 700,000 tons of CO2e emissions per year globally from the entertainment sector. The initiative brings together representatives from leading production studios with equipment suppliers and cleantech manufacturers. Learn more at www.cleanmobilepowerinitiative.org.
For more information and availability contact:
David Hardy
1-905-829-5756 x217
February 13
Stratford, Ontario
Sommers Generator teams with film & TV industry to test Ontario-made hydrogen power generator
New hydrogen power generator offers zero emissions, mobility and quiet running at a cost-effective rate to meet exacting needs of film production.
[Stratford, Ontario]: A can-do attitude and decades of experience in power generators is putting a Stratford, Ontario company at the forefront of hydrogen power. Sommers Generator Systems is piloting a project to supply industry with emissions-free hydrogen power equipment.
The HGDWS 165 ST generator looks and performs like a conventional diesel generator. But it delivers a quiet, mobile, zero-emission, and serviceable system.
Chris McGregor, President, said the company was approached two years ago by H2OnSet, a company that enables film and TV production sets to be fed with hydrogen from local producers, using uniquely designed over-the-road trailers. H2OnSet integrates hydrogen production, distribution and use into a holistic turnkey service. They asked Sommers if they would be interested in building a hydrogen powered generator initially for use on TV and film sets. At that time, there was interest, but no marketable products. Some of the challenges for hydrogen fuel cells included cost of equipment, the need for peripheral devices and the unknown performance of operating the equipment. McGregor thought they could overcome those. “We said, ‘Sure, we can do this.’”
Sommers Engineering team led by Frank Noda have designed a generator using fuel cells, although there was interest and still is, the cost was a factor. It was about 10 times the price of a comparable diesel system. As chance would have it, an introduction to a European based manufacturer of diesel and gasoline engines and hydrogen drive solutions. This led to the opportunity to simplify the process, reduce costs and test efficiencies.
The result was a 60 Hz 120/208V 165kWe hydrogen generator classified as zero emissions and a smaller footprint. “Earlier hydrogen generators were bulky, unconventional looking,” said McGregor. “What we’re building today looks almost identical to what our other generators look like but with almost zero emissions.” Sommers will work closely with the engine manufacturer to provide feedback and operational data for future builds for a wide cross section of industries looking for opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint.
Both aspects appealed to the film industry that wants a mobile unit on a trailer with easy distribution for fuel, quiet running, while significantly reducing any environmental harm. This included SAG-AFTRA members who want the opportunity to work in environmentally friendly sites. “They are in a quest to produce movies without carbon impact,” said McGregor. This has great appeal for studios that have made public pledges to decarbonize. Members of the Sustainable Production Alliance (SPA), a consortium of Hollywood Studios and Streamers that are seeking more environmentally friendly practices.
According to McGregor, this is just the beginning. “These units can be used and paralleled to produce as much clean energy required for any application whether it be standby or prime power.”
Although production will begin in the March-April timeframe, McGregor has already begun fielding inquiries from several industries and applications from across the continent.
McGregor said the generator will have a big environmental impact on communities. “The future needs new ways of power generation. Hydrogen has been around for years. Today, it is as safe as any other. We are building these systems.”
For more information and availability contact:
Chris McGregor, President
1-800-690-2396
www.sommersgen.com
Sommers Generator Systems is a leading Canadian manufacturer and distributor of premium quality generator systems, located in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. With a large inventory of diesel, propane and natural gas models, our custom generator systems are built to suit unique needs for prime power, standby power as well as PTO, portable and towable applications. Established in 1936 to provide new electrical services and equipment to rural Ontario and the Maritimes, Sommers continues to provide innovative solutions to customers across the continent through its branch locations and a network of dealers.