This article was first published on epri.com.

Even the most avid James Bond fan wouldn’t be aware about one of the innovations in last year’s No Time To Die. For the 25th Bond movie, the film’s production included the use of a mobile power system made by Canadian company Portable Electric. The company’s VOLTstack e-generator even makes a brief appearance in the movie.

What makes the use of the mobile power system so notable is that it represents a significant shift away from fossil fuel powered generators to an electric and emissions-free alternative. Traditionally, when film, TV, and commercial productions have ventured to locations lacking grid power (which is often), they have relied on diesel generators to deliver the energy needed to make meals, run AV equipment, and heat or cool the trailers actors use when they’re not filming.

Like many industries, the entertainment business has both acknowledged its significant carbon footprint and outlined steps to reduce emissions. Last year, the Producers Guild of America’s PGA Green division released a target, calling on Hollywood to reduce industry emissions 50 percent by 2030. In establishing the target, PGA Green estimated that the average film or TV production emits between 391 and 3,370 metric tons of carbon dioxide. According to PGA Green, the entertainment industry’s emissions have been known to surpass those of aerospace, clothing, hotel and semiconductor industries. One of the group’s key strategies to meet its emissions reduction target is phasing out diesel generators. Emissions aren’t the only reason more TV and film productions are looking to shift away from diesel generators. Another big benefit of electric: Mobile power systems are quiet, which can be very helpful for actors trying to hear one another. It also avoids the need to remove extraneous noise during post-production. A quieter source of power is also welcome because it can make securing film permits easier and lower the chance that nearby residents will lodge complaints.

Read the full version of this article in the March edition of Efficient Electrification.