H2 Portable Power Corp: Lights, camera, climate action

If there was an Academy Award for “Best Disruptive Film Shoot Technology,” H2 Portable Power Corp.’s hydrogen-electric generators would surely be among the frontrunners. 

Film and TV productions have a love-hate relationship with diesel generators. On the one hand, they provide the reliable and robust on-demand power needed to simulate a lightning strike or explosion on location. For that reason, they have long been the industry’s default portable power source.  

On the other hand, they tend to be noisy and smelly and produce megatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) across the global film and TV industries. Environmental impact varies by project size, with smaller productions generating around ​​391 tonnes of CO₂, and major blockbusters releasing as much as 3,370 tonnes. ​​To put that in perspective, the latter is roughly equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 225 Canadians. 

Emissions spark concerns 

The carbon footprint of film and TV production has drawn scrutiny from industry professionals and environmental groups alike. In 2021, the Producers Guild of America called for a sector-wide shift toward cleaner energy sources: “Climate change is impacting our productions. Our health and safety, and filming locations, are being irreparably damaged by increased pollution, wildfires, floods, storms, and droughts. The sustainability measures currently being taken in our industry are sporadic and wholly inadequate to meet the current level of threat.” 

Enter H2 Portable Energy Corp. (H2P). Since 2023, the Chilliwack, BC-based company has been developing compact hydrogen-electric generators capable of replacing diesel units without compromising performance. Small enough to fit on a trailer and powerful enough to light a film set or move shipping containers, these zero-emission units are designed as plug-and-play replacements for diesel. The 100kW generators leverage fuel-cell technology and can reduce carbon intensity by 38% using hydrogen from steam methane reforming (SMR), and by up to 75% when powered by electricity in BC. 

From prototype to real-world impact 

Image of H2 Portable Power Corp’s hydrogen-electric generator

While H2P’s product vision was clear, moving from prototype to commercial-ready system posed a classic “valley of death” dilemma, meaning it was too early in the company’s growth cycle for private capital, and too late for basic R&D grants. That’s why $950,000 in funding from the NorthX proved so pivotal. 

“The funding allowed us to learn how to scale the system and to meet market requirements,” explains George Rubin, H2P’s Director of Commercial Operations. “Just as importantly, it gave us the space to refine logistics like hydrogen delivery, secure supply chains, and meet certification requirements.” 

The support also allowed H2P to build and deploy both alpha and beta units in demanding environments. MB Studios Production Services (MBS) was among the first adopters, providing critical field insights and validation. At one early demonstration, Rubin recalls, flickering lights initially indicated a power mismatch. But after a quick software tweak by the H2P team, the lighting stabilized perfectly, impressing even seasoned professionals used to diesel reliability. “That moment was huge for us,” Rubin says. “It showed we could meet the industry’s toughest standards.” 

Pilots with major players 

Two pilots have anchored H2P’s field strategy: one with MBS, and another with DP World Canada, where a hydrogen generator is powering a rubber tired gantry (RTG) crane at the Port of Vancouver. “These projects are more than test beds,” Rubin says. “They’re blueprints for future deployment across high-emissions sectors like mining, forestry, and oil and gas.” 

Securing hydrogen supply was another hurdle, which H2P addressed through a strategic agreement with Powertech Labs. Meanwhile, partnerships with TYCROP Manufacturing Ltd. and Element 1 Corp. have enabled deeper collaboration on integrated hydrogen fuel solutions. TYCROP provides engineering and manufacturing expertise, while Element 1 brings advanced methanol-steam reforming and hydrogen purification processes to the table. 

Scaling clean energy 

Though the film industry is providing a high-stakes proving ground, H2P’s ambitions reach much farther. “Our goal is to replace diesel anywhere it’s used,” Rubin says. “The tech is there. Now it’s about infrastructure and adoption.” 

Adoption is projected to accelerate in the near term. According to San Francisco-based Grand View Research, the global hydrogen generator market size was estimated at $702 million USD in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2024 to 2030. 

The H2P team is acutely aware that access to hydrogen fuel is a major constraint, Rubin says. But by achieving early successes in sectors that demand high performance, the company is building the credibility needed to expand. “As more jurisdictions roll out hydrogen hubs and infrastructure programs, we will be well-positioned to scale.”

A playbook for clean tech success 

For other innovators eyeing entrenched markets, H2P’s experience offers valuable lessons. One is the importance of industry-specific insights. “Don’t assume your customer knows what they need,” Rubin advises. “You often have to show them first, then listen carefully to their feedback.” 

Another key is adaptability. H2P didn’t invent new hardware. Rather, it carefully selected and integrated components from multiple industries to work together under new constraints. That flexibility, paired with rigorous testing and direct customer input, has been critical to the company’s success, Rubin says. 

With successful demos behind them and real-world deployments slated for the summer of 2025, H2P is preparing for what comes next: broader commercialization.

As climate policies tighten and pressure mounts to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, H2P is proving that innovation, when backed by the right support, can deliver cleaner energy without compromise. 

H2 Portable received a $950,000 investment in 2023 through NorthX’s 2023 Call for Innovation. Learn more about H2 Portable and meet our other innovators on our portfolio page.