
SCENE 01 / PORTABLE POWER SOLUTIONS
Portable Power Solutions
Professional power solutions for film production anywhere in Canada.
Portable power solutions keep productions operational in locations without reliable mains electricity. In Canada, where shoots frequently take place in remote wilderness, mountain locations, and vast northern landscapes, battery-powered systems, compact generators, and hybrid power units provide the clean, consistent energy that production departments need in extreme conditions.
We source portable power solutions matched to your production's load requirements and location constraints. Whether you're filming in the Canadian Rockies, along the Atlantic coast, or in northern Ontario, our team evaluates noise levels, runtime needs, and cold-weather factors to recommend the right power package for Canada's demanding environments.
Capabilities
Power Solutions
From whisper-quiet film generators to high-capacity battery systems, we provide reliable power for productions of any scale in any location.
01
Generators
- Whisper quiet film generators
- Tow-behind and vehicle-mounted
- Various capacity options
- Single and three-phase power
- Operator included
Primary Power
02
Battery Systems
- High-capacity lithium packs
- V-mount and Gold-mount
- Cinema camera batteries
- Cine tape and accessories
- Solar charging options
Mobile Energy
03
Distribution
- Power distro boxes
- Cable runs and connectors
- Load management
- Circuit protection
- Multi-phase distribution
Safe Distribution
04
Remote Location
- Off-grid power solutions
- Portable solar systems
- Long-duration battery banks
- Silent power options
- Helicopter-transportable
Anywhere Power
On Location
Honda dialogue-safe inverter generators, Wacker Neuson tow-behind, Volta Solar suitcases for Yukon and Nunavut off-grid
Here is how the work lines up. Production power in Canada layers four equipment tiers depending on the shot and the location. At the dialogue-safe inverter level we run Honda EU2200i and EU7000is silent inverter generators — the EU2200i in particular sits at the heart of every Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal indie feature kit because it delivers fifty-three to fifty-nine decibels at seven metres and won't sour a Sound Devices Scorpio or Zaxcom Nova mixer-recorder.
Above that, Wacker Neuson G50, G70 and G150 tow-behind units cover fifty to one hundred and fifty kVA for mid-tier feature lighting plots and the Multiquip DCA 100, DCA 150 and DCA 300 chassis cover one hundred to three hundred kVA for the larger Pinewood Toronto, Bridge Studios Vancouver and MELS Cité du cinéma Montreal soundstage and backlot loads.
At the battery tier our gaffers and DITs draw from Anton/Bauer Cine VCLX 560Wh, 660Wh and the larger 1200Wh units alongside Core SWX HyperCore stations for cameras, lighting and onboard monitor power. EcoFlow Delta Pro and Bluetti AC500 sit underneath the cinema tier for stills, ENG and run-and-gun documentary, and Volta Solar suitcase arrays cover the genuinely off-grid Yukon, Northwest Territories, Iqaluit and Banff backcountry work where fuel resupply is multi-day and helicopter-only.
The country's 120V/60Hz mains spec keeps cross-border US gear plug-compatible. But Canadian winters are the real engineering driver. From December through March Quebec, Yukon and Nunavut routinely sit at minus twenty-five Celsius and Iqaluit drops below minus thirty-five — at those temperatures diesel and gasoline gel without anti-gel additive, generator block heaters become non-negotiable, and lithium-ion battery output collapses without insulated battery boxes.
We spec ARRI Cold Pack jackets on cine batteries, run heated battery transport cases between camera builds, and keep generators on Webasto or Espar diesel-fired block heaters running through location wraps so the call-time start is reliable. CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certification governs every distro and cable run on union sets, IATSE 891 BC, 873 Toronto and 514 Quebec electrics and best-boy electrics staff the trucks, and our coordinators handle CBSA ATA carnet documentation for US and European generator imports on the rare jobs where local rental cannot cover the load. Parks Canada national park shoots in Banff, Jasper, Gros Morne and Pacific Rim layer additional silent-zone, no-idle and wildlife-buffer rules on top of the standard generator placement plan.
FAQ
Professional Power Services
How do I calculate power requirements for my production?
Power requirements are calculated from your equipment lists—lighting draws the most power. We'll help you assess total wattage, account for startup surges, and recommend appropriate generator capacity with safety margins. Typical small shoots need 20-40kVA; larger productions may need 100kVA+.
What's the difference between film generators and standard generators?
Film generators (also called whisper generators) are specifically designed for quiet operation—typically 60-70dB at distance versus 80-90dB for standard generators. This is essential when recording sound. They also provide cleaner, more stable power for sensitive equipment.
Can you provide power for remote locations without road access?
Yes. We offer helicopter-transportable generators, portable battery systems, and solar solutions for remote locations. Planning for remote power requires advance coordination to ensure adequate capacity for your production needs.
Do generators come with operators?
Generator operators are available and recommended for larger productions. They handle startup, monitoring, refueling, load management, and troubleshooting. For smaller generators, trained production crew can operate with proper briefing.
What battery options are available for silent shooting?
We provide high-capacity lithium battery systems for completely silent power. These range from portable packs for small setups to large battery arrays for full lighting packages. Battery systems work well for interview setups, sensitive location work, and situations requiring zero generator noise.
How is power distribution handled on set?
We provide distribution boxes, proper cable runs, and connection hardware. Distribution is managed to balance loads, protect circuits, and ensure safe power delivery to all departments. Our electrical team or generator operator monitors distribution throughout the shoot.
Related Services
Productions in Canada that need this often pair it with Grip Services, LED Lighting Systems, and Gaffer & Lighting Services for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Power Distribution Systems and Wire Cam Systems.
On Set
Need Production Power?
Share your equipment list and locations, and we'll design the right power solution for your production.