Together with the companies Lichthaus Berlin GmbH and MTD Medientechnik GmbH, WhisperPower has introduced a hybrid system onto the market that can be completely coordinated from one source. This innovation brings sustainability in the film industry a step closer.
A mobile power supply is indispensable when sufficient power is needed at the filming locations for a movie or series, especially as the location is often changed several times a day. It’s not just lighting, sound and camera equipment that need power… Catering for the film crew and actors is also a major issue.
Thirsty for fuel
Trucks with large diesel generators are usually used for the mobile power supply. These often run for 10 hours a day, sometimes consuming 300 litres of fuel during this period. At the same time, the older generators do not have aftertreatment so there is always a smell of diesel exhaust in the air.
The new hybrid concept has been built in a Mercedes Sprinter. It includes a diesel generator with exhaust specification Stage V and 35 kW power, as well as a 32 kW LiFePo4 battery bank. Up to 21 kW of power can be used directly without a diesel generator for a certain period of time. A combined total of up to 56 kW can be provided when more power is needed.
Ingenious solution
This hybrid solution works fully automatically. The generator starts as soon as the battery bank needs recharging and does so in the shortest possible time.
“The system is saving us over 80% in fuel costs. The diesel generator only has to provide the necessary extra power for a maximum two hours a day in normal operation. The first time we filled up with diesel after a long day of shooting, we were amazed that only a few litres of fuel was required. And it’s also great that we no longer have to put up with unpleasant exhaust smells.”
Fleet Manager - Lichthaus Berlin GmbH
“We are glad to have found a partner in WhisperPower with whom we were able to jointly develop and set up this system, which is currently unique for this special market. The list of customers for these systems is long. However, the waiting time for a hybrid system or a Stage V diesel generator has also increased enormously in the last two years due to supply chain delays in the vehicle sector and power electronics field. Nonetheless we have always found a suitable solution with our customers to date.”
Jens Duwe - MTD Medientechnik GmbH, Managing Director
“We have also installed solar panels on this hybrid system and seen a yield of up to 3.5kW per day in the summer. The changing markets also lead us to try to run diesel generators only as a backup for charging the batteries or when there is a high power demand. Our customers expect systems that are sustainable, as emission-free as possible and very quiet. This innovation certainly delivers that.”
Cord Brandt - WhisperPower Germany, Sales Manager