This summer, Toronto will see the initial prototype of a mobile power generator running exclusively on hydrogen instead of diesel.

Pioneered by the startup company H2 OnSet, and financed in part by a climate tech accelerator with support from Disney and Netflix, it will be purpose-built for the film and TV industry as a swappable replacement for a standard 1400W diesel generator. 

Starting with a German-made hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine, it will then be enclosed and customized with a control panel to make it intuitive for use on set. It will be roughly the same size and power output of a diesel generator, be mounted on a towable trailer, and will come with a towable fuel block unit filled with locally-produced clean hydrogen. 

While hydrogen can be extracted from fossil fuels like natural gas (termed “grey” hydrogen), H2 OnSet is committed to using zero-emission clean “green” hydrogen produced through an electrolyzer – using electricity generated from renewable sources, like hydroelectricity. In contrast to a diesel generator, which can emit one toxic metric tonne of carbon a day, the new hydrogen genny will emit nothing but a small trickle of clean water! 

If all goes well in Toronto, Vancouver would be next in line for a launch of the hydrogen generators. By combining zero-emission gennies with other clean tech like portable electric batteries, low-watt LED lighting and electric vehicles, there is a bright future in sight for significantly decarbonized film sets. The power is ours! 

For more ideas on ways to effect change, check out DGC National’s DGC Green site as well as Creative BC’s Reel Green website for new industry initiatives, green vendors, events and courses you can take.

Tell me what your show is doing to be more sustainable! Do you have a green tip or success story you'd like us to share in a future Ebulletin? Send me an email at awilczur@dgcbc.com.

Annabelle Wilczur
Assistant Business Agent and Sustainability Lead

Annabelle Wilczur is an Assistant Business Agent and Sustainability Lead with the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia. After 25 years on set as an AD, Annabelle has since worked for both the Quebec and BC District Councils of the DGC since 2018. She publishes the column The Green Scene for the DGC BC's Newsletter to Members and DGC BC's LOGLINE for DGC BC Permittee Logbook Holders.

Check out more from The Green Scene here.