Power planning has been going on ever since we needed to plug in any equipment. Now, we need to shift the conversation to clean energy power planning to reduce generator fuel.

A clean energy power plan comes from the producer who says that they want to replace or reduce generator fuel as often as possible. Once that is given as a directive, the conversations will flow based on that requirement.

Questions for Discussion

  • Can we do a tie-in?
  • Can we use a battery?
  • Can we reduce our power needs?
  • Can we change our parking plan so that it eliminates generators?
  • What generators are we using? Are we getting the most fuel-efficient equipment possible?
  • What are the costs for clean energy, and what are the offsets?

All of this stems from one directive: “Let’s reduce fuel whenever and wherever we can.”

Every aspect of production needs power, not just set. Discuss how to reduce generator fuel for any and all power needs.

Start with the largest power need and/or the easiest to electrify.

Who to Talk To and What to Ask For

Initial Power Planning Meeting

  • Organize a power planning meeting early in prep with Production Management, Locations, Transportation, and Lighting (if available).
  • Outline the goal of fuel reduction by avoiding generators wherever possible.
  • Ask departments where they anticipate the highest power needs on your production and ask them to brainstorm possible solutions.

Vendors

  • Let your vendors know that you will be renting batteries and hybrid battery/generators for your production.
  • If these are not available, tell them you would like the most fuel-efficient generators possible.

Studio Facility Managers

  • Ask if there is sufficient grid power for ALL production needs.
  • Ask if they ever have generators running in the parking lots and why. Can that be avoided by accessing grid power?

Production

It’s important that Production Managers and Supervisors understand your goal to reduce fuel and the business case for cleaner power.

Locations

Location Managers are the first point of contact and should ask about grid power access at every site. If power is available, it should be vetted by Transportation and Rigging as early as possible to assess whether production can use it to eliminate a generator position.

Ask Locations to put effort into either:

  • What is easily available (e.g., they have tied in there before) or,
  • Locations and support areas that have multiple days of prep/filming/wrap.

Transportation

Transportation Coordinators and Captains create the power plan to power basecamp, catering, and equipment trucks. They source and book the trailers and equipment trucks, and often order the generators.

Lighting and Rigging Lighting

The Gaffer and Rigging Gaffer create the power plan for the set. They often order generators.