Ready for a clean, green close-up? DCU and the hydrogen fuel cell research powering new carbon-neutral Irish film
Researchers from Dublin City University’s School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering are helping to break new ground in Ireland’s film industry by supporting the very first production in the country to use hydrogen power units. Kung Fu Deadly, a martial arts comedy starring YouTuber Steven He, is currently filming in Meath and Dublin and used the pioneering technology to fuel cameras, light and more for six weeks.
DCU researchers are currently assessing the data and emissions savings of the system used by Kung Fu Deadly, provided by ESB and produced by GeoPura, a UK-based renewable energy company, and their partner, Siemens Energy.
In addition, the RESR team from DCU and UCD visited Kung Fu Deadly’s set to showcase a mini solid state hydrogen storage system capable of powering mobiles and more during down time while filming.
RESR, a Research Ireland National Challenge funded project, focuses on developing a technology to store and release hydrogen from a solid safe material. Unlike conventional hydrogen systems that use highly compressed systems to store small amounts of hydrogen in metal tanks, RESR has 10 to 20 times more energy density, and releases hydrogen on demand.
Dr James Carton, Assistant Professor in Energy Sustainability in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, explains the importance of exploring alternative power solutions in the film industry:
“Small film productions can generate over 350 metric tons of emissions over just a few weeks of filming using conventional diesel generators. The carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas issue; the fumes are a health threat, dangerous over long-term exposure, and it was most interesting to hear the film crew being amazed by how quiet the hydrogen fuel cell system is compared to noisy generators. It seems removing diesel generators make better films - they are cleaner and good for the environment.”
The RESR hydrogen power unit and Kung Fu Deadly’s main hydrogen power generation system will both be demonstrated on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus next week, from 1 to 3 April.
For more information on RESR, you can visit their website here.