Powering the Future
Posted on Jan 14, 2025 by Admin
Experts from Anton/Bauer & Hawk-Woods give the lowdown on the battery trends to look out for in 2025 and beyond
As film and TV production grapples with its sustainability problems, battery tech is poised to play a major role in the transition towards a more eco-friendly future for the industry. And with continual investment and investigation into new technologies, change is coming fast.
Today’s solutions are getting safer, smaller and more powerful, as well as more sustainable, while innovations like sodium-ion batteries and faster-charging, higher-density systems are opening up exciting possibilities. But what’s making the biggest impact in battery tech right now, and what’s next for on-set power?
The team at Anton/Bauer think the most significant advancement in the coming year will be IP-rated, portable, AC battery energy storage systems (BESS). “These address the growing need for on-set power as the industry transitions away from small fuel generators,” Andrew Hutton, head of product management for batteries at Anton/Bauer, explains.
“With the energy efficiency of LED lighting, the demand for 2-5kWh BESS will continue to grow. This will allow faster set-up times by eliminating the need to lay cables from generators positioned hundreds of metres away – resulting in greater flexibility in layout adjustments and quieter sets. These new systems won’t just benefit LED lighting, but also other on-set needs like craft services, catering and talent, as more equipment becomes battery-powered.”
Hawk-Woods’ Simon Hale, meanwhile, believes solid-state batteries (SSBs) hold a lot of promise for the future. Compared to lithium-ion batteries, SSBs offer myriad benefits including higher energy density, enhanced durability and faster charging.
However the tech is advancing, the real innovation lies in “striking the perfect balance between safety, affordability and reliability,” Hale comments. “In a competitive industry, the most impactful innovations don’t just push boundaries in tech, but also make high-performance batteries accessible to professionals and end users alike.
“For us, a battery is first and foremost a silent workhorse that reliably powers your rig day in, day out. But it’s also a consumable item. While advancements can extend its life and improve efficiency, it’s essential to remain practical about the lifespan and cost for end users. Our focus is on producing power solutions that are trusted, delivering dependable performance without compromising on affordability or usability.”
Safe & Sustainable
There’s so much choice out there that choosing the right batteries can feel overwhelming, but a key consideration should always be safety and certification. You should make sure your batteries are certified by nationally recognised testing laboratories (NRTLs) and fit for purpose, Hutton advises. “A common misconception is that UN38.3 certification guarantees safety, but this only means it’s approved for shipping and doesn’t assess safety standards,” he adds.
The solution? “Always verify with the manufacturer which certifications a battery has officially passed – not just what it’s ‘designed to meet’. Batteries certified by an NRTL undergo rigorous assessment, including destruction tests, to ensure they meet stringent safety standards. In comparison, products ‘designed to meet’ standards are often tested to only a third of the required level. Our standards exceed basic UKCA and CE testing to ensure maximum safety.”
You also need to ensure your kit won’t quickly become obsolete, so look for batteries that are compatible with both current and next-gen filmmaking gear. This means “prioritising solutions with high energy density and long life cycle performance to minimise downtime and ensure reliability, especially on demanding shoots,” says Hale.
If you’ve got old batteries you want to offload, Hawk-Woods offers a trade-in scheme that enables you to rotate them out of circulation. Not only does this ensure proper recycling, but you can also gain credits towards buying newer, safer and more efficient power solutions.
What’s Next?
Looking to the future, Hale believes that emerging technologies like IoT integration offer interesting possibilities for batteries, but that dependability and simplicity will always be king. “A battery’s primary role is to seamlessly power equipment. We know filmmakers value reliability in the field above all else,” he sums up. “As we look beyond 2025, our focus remains on perfecting the essentials: delivering the most reliable, safe and sustainable power solutions. By staying true to this, our products will continue to meet the demands of professionals without introducing unnecessary complexities that could compromise usability.”
Meanwhile, Anton/Bauer’s focus is keeping a close eye on rising battery technology. “We’re closely monitoring the development of exciting innovations on the horizon to ensure we can respond swiftly when they become commercially viable,” Hutton comments. “This proactive approach lets us stay ahead of industry needs and adapt to the next big leap in battery tech.”
