Culver City is taking another step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future by implementing a new Portable Battery Program designed to replace gas-powered generators at community events and City operations.
Working with $164,000 in support from Clean Power Alliance’s Innovation Fund, Culver City’s pilot program provides portable battery systems for use by City staff, community vendors and event organizers. The batteries power activities ranging from the weekly farmers’ market and Movies in the Park event, to the annual Art Walk & Roll festival, and other community celebrations.
“Culver City is showing that sustainability can be practical, visible and directly connected to community life,” said City Manager Odis Jones. “These portable batteries are helping us reduce emissions, improve air quality and create a cleaner event experience for residents, vendors and visitors. This is exactly the kind of partnership and innovation that supports our long-term environmental goals.”
The Portable Battery Program is one of several local initiatives supported through Clean Power Alliance’s Innovation Fund, which is a competitive funding opportunity designed to accelerate local efforts in building a clean, resilient future. The Innovation Fund selects creative projects led by CPA’s partner communities that advance decarbonization and enhance resilience through investments in grid reliability, fleet and building electrification, and local clean energy procurement. Communities can receive up to $250,000 to fund a selected project.
The Portable Battery Program reduces reliance on fossil fuels by replacing gas-powered technologies with cleaner electric alternatives and furthers the advancement of innovative clean energy solutions. Unlike traditional gas generators, these portable batteries are recharged using electricity and produce zero emissions, operate quietly and improve local air quality by eliminating harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
The community is already experiencing these benefits first-hand as the program has reduced 13,000 pounds of carbon emissions in its first five months of operations. From March through July, the City and its vendor partner, Citypack, deployed 219 batteries across 33 community and special events.
“Culver City is committed to taking meaningful climate action in ways that improve everyday life for our community,” said council member Yasmine-Imani McMorrin, who serves on the Clean Power Alliance Board of Directors. “This portable battery program is a practical example of that work. I’m grateful to Clean Power Alliance for supporting this pilot and proud that Culver City continues to lead with innovative solutions that support a more sustainable future.”
To encourage adoption, the City offers the battery units free of charge during the initial pilot period, removing cost barriers for vendors and event producers while demonstrating the technology’s reliability and ease of use. The pilot program aims to normalize the use of portable batteries instead of gas generators.
After the pilot, the City will consider continuing the program and may request a modest rental fee to help sustain the program while keeping the equipment affordable.
If the pilot proves successful, Culver City will evaluate replacing City-owned gas generators used for emergency services and may consider broader policies limiting or phasing out the use of gas generators citywide.
By funding initiatives like Culver City’s battery program, the Innovation Fund helps communities improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen local resilience and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
CPA is expecting to launch round three of the Innovation Fund in late 2026 with $1.5 million available for community energy resilience projects.
To learn more about Clean Power Alliance and its efforts with Culver City, visit the City’s webpage on Clean Power Alliance.
City of Culver City
