NXTGENbps Powers ITV Wales’ “Coast and Country” at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre
Overview
When ITV Wales set out to film an episode of “Coast and Country” at the WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, they faced a challenge: how to produce high-quality content while minimising their environmental impact. Determined to explore sustainable production methods, ITV Wales partnered with NXTGENbps to power the shoot using pure green energy. This collaboration not only aligned with their commitment to sustainability but also showcased how green energy can be seamlessly integrated into professional broadcasting.
Challenge
Filming in a remote location like the WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre naturally presents challenges. The shoot required reliable power in an area with limited access to traditional power sources, compounded by rugged terrain and heavy rainfall throughout the day. Additionally, as a wildlife and wetland centre, it was crucial to minimise disruption to the natural environment. These conditions could have posed significant obstacles, but the NXTGENbps Goat was more than up to the task. While there were initial reservations from the crew about whether battery power could meet the demands of all the broadcast equipment, especially given the high energy requirements typical of professional shoots, the Goat quickly dispelled these concerns.
Solution: The NXTGENbps Goat
The NXTGENbps Goat, a portable 5kW/4.8kWh power unit, was the ideal choice for this shoot. Built to withstand tough conditions, the Goat’s IP67 rating gave the crew complete confidence and ensured reliable operation despite the wet and challenging environment. Its compact and rugged design allowed it to perform flawlessly, even in the face of heavy rainfall and uneven terrain.
- Zero Emissions: The Goat operates with zero emissions, perfectly aligning with ITV Wales’ sustainability goals.
- Silent Operation: Silent operation was especially beneficial in the wetland setting, where minimising disruption to wildlife was a priority. By using a silent power source, the crew was able to capture high-quality footage without impacting the natural soundscape or disturbing the local wildlife, enhancing the overall production quality.
- Reliability in Tough Conditions: The Goat’s rugged construction, coupled with its IP67 rating, meant it could withstand the challenging weather and terrain, delivering consistent power throughout the shoot.
- Efficiency: Despite powering two Aputure 1200 lights for four hours and the autocue system for 90 minutes, only 12% of the Goat’s battery capacity was used, indicating that it had ample reserve power to handle additional equipment.
Environmental Benefits
The collaboration between ITV Wales and NXTGENbps on the “Coast and Country” shoot delivered clear environmental benefits. By choosing the zero-emission Goat, ITV Wales significantly reduced the production’s carbon footprint. The silent operation of the unit was especially valuable in a sensitive location like the wetland, meaning there was minimal disruption to wildlife, preserving the natural environment. This project demonstrated that pure green energy can seamlessly power professional broadcasting while enhancing the quality of production and protecting the surroundings.
“From ITV’s point of view our challenge was to broadcast our entire programme on location from the middle of a wetlands – but we needed safe power in this location that we could rely on. Conditions were very testing with torrential rain for most of the day – it was also impossible to drive a vehicle to location as we were working near walking paths.
It was important to us from the planning stage that our power came from the cleanest possible source – considering the location we were in – we wanted to cause as little disruption as possible to the birds in the habitat – we had to be as quiet and clean as possible. Using a diesel generator would have been an absolute no go for us in this environment. Jono and Lesley were instrumental from the very first stage in helping us assess our power requirement – and how we could work practically and safely in this environment. They understood the needs of sustainable TV production – and in our case the type of budgets we had to work with.
It was a pleasure working with them from the start and I’d recommend the service and battery generators to anyone in any other part of ITV News or the wider ITV community.”
Nia Britton, Operations Manager ITV Cymru Wales
Product Specification
The NXTGENbps Goat is designed to deliver portable electrical power up to 5kW/4.8kWh. The system features a built-in Pure Sine inverter, multiple power inputs (solar, DC, AC), and rapid charging capability via a Type 2 car charger.
Key features include:
- 5kW/4.8kWh Lithium-Ion Battery: Reliable and expandable power supply.
- Solar Charging: Supports charging while in use.
- Silent Operation: Ideal for noise-sensitive environments.
- Zero Emissions: Supports carbon-neutral operations.
- Robust Design: Suitable for various conditions and locations.
- Fast Charging: Full charge in 45 minutes with a 7kW EV charger.
The success of the NXTGENbps Goat during ITV Wales’ “Coast and Country” shoot underscores how reliable and efficient battery-powered solutions can be, even in challenging conditions. ITV Wales’ dedication to sustainability, paired with NXTGENbps’s innovative power solutions, shows what’s possible when the industry embraces greener practices.
