DCU's Green Revolution: Hydrogen Fuel Cells Powering Ireland's First Carbon-Neutral Film

Dublin City University (DCU) is making waves in the Irish film industry, spearheading a groundbreaking initiative that promises a cleaner, greener future for movie production. Researchers from DCU's School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering are collaborating with the martial arts comedy, Kung Fu Deadly, starring YouTuber Steven He, to achieve a remarkable feat: Ireland's first carbon-neutral film production.

Filmed across Meath and Dublin, Kung Fu Deadly utilized pioneering hydrogen power units for six weeks, providing clean energy to power cameras, lighting, and other essential equipment. This innovative approach significantly reduces the environmental impact often associated with traditional film production methods that rely heavily on diesel generators.

The hydrogen power units, supplied by ESB and produced by GeoPura (a UK-based renewable energy company) in partnership with Siemens Energy, represent a significant leap forward. DCU researchers are currently meticulously analyzing the data collected during filming, assessing the overall emissions savings achieved through this sustainable approach. The results are expected to showcase the significant potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology in mitigating the carbon footprint of the film industry.

Further enhancing the project's environmental commitment, the RESR team (a collaborative effort between DCU and UCD, funded by Research Ireland's National Challenge), showcased a mini solid-state hydrogen storage system on set. This compact system, capable of powering mobile devices and other smaller equipment during filming downtime, provides an additional layer of sustainable power solutions.

RESR's technology offers a significant advantage over conventional hydrogen storage methods. Unlike traditional systems that rely on highly compressed hydrogen stored in metal tanks, RESR boasts 10 to 20 times greater energy density and releases hydrogen on demand, ensuring a safe and efficient energy supply.

Dr. James Carton, Assistant Professor in Energy Sustainability at the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at DCU, highlights the importance of this innovative approach:

“Small film productions can generate over 350 metric tons of emissions in just a few weeks using conventional diesel generators. The carbon dioxide emissions contribute to greenhouse gas issues, while the fumes pose a significant health risk with long-term exposure. It was fascinating to hear the film crew express their amazement at how quiet the hydrogen fuel cell system is compared to noisy generators. It seems removing diesel generators not only benefits the environment but also enhances the filmmaking experience, resulting in cleaner and more efficient productions.”

The success of Kung Fu Deadly serves as a testament to the viability and potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology in the film industry. Both the RESR hydrogen power unit and Kung Fu Deadly's main hydrogen power generation system will be showcased on DCU's Glasnevin Campus from April 1st to 3rd, providing a valuable opportunity to learn more about this groundbreaking technology.

This initiative underscores DCU's commitment to sustainability and its role in driving innovation for a greener future. It signifies a significant step towards a more environmentally responsible film industry, paving the way for future productions to adopt similar sustainable practices.