In today’s world of ever increasing energy use, finding a renewable energy source is a necessity. With increasing legislation and incentives to find solutions to oil dependence harnessing natural resources is more important than ever. “Renewable Energy,” is a four film collection on wind, solar, and water power. How each is important to the world, how they create energy for households and businesses, and why harnessing them is so important is discussed in easy to understand detail.
Included Films:
Powering One Corner of the World
Powering One Corner of the World
Produced: 1987
Length: 8 Minutes
Hydroelectric power is clean energy. There is no pollution because the fuel recycles itself over and over again via the hydrological cycle. The Grand Coulee Dam, on the Columbia River in Washington State, is the largest electric power producing facility in the world and the largest concrete structure in the United States. The power generated there alone can light up the entire cities of Seattle and Portland. “Powering One Corner of the World” takes viewers on an informative adventure of the processes of the Dam, the jobs that help it run efficiently, and how it all comes together to generate power. It also explores how the Bureau of Reclamation ensures the plant remains operative and oversees the care, control, and management. Water, through proper management, the use of technology and skilled laborers can power the world with limited pollution, thus protecting the planet we love.
Western World of Water
Western World of Water
Produced: 1990
Length: 6 Minutes
The west is a land of contrasts, often met by unforgiving weather. To help settle the west the Bureau of Reclamation was founded in 1902. Their mission was to bring water to often dry and brittle lands and improve agriculture through the use of irrigation, dams, reservoirs and more recently to bring electricity to people through the use of hydroelectric power. “Western World of Water” explores how the Bureau of Reclamation celebrates the federally funded institution’s efforts to increase the quality of life in the west. It shows how the program has evolved over the years, starting out with the goal of necessity, to changing public awareness as environmental concerns grew. A propagandist love story, the Bureau of Reclamation never looked so advanced, aware, and benevolent, as in this tale of how the west was won with water.
Wind: An Energy Alternative
Wind: An Energy Alternative
Produced: 1980
Length: 13 Minutes
The sun converts five million tons of energy into matter every second. As the sun warms the earth, solar energy creates wind which can be harnessed for power. “Wind: An Energy Alternative,” documents the power of wind, including methods of harnessing which have been used for centuries in agriculture and transportation, the problems of wind energy, and the systems being developed all across the country. It is an interesting, informative glimpse into alternative energy solutions available to the United States.
Energy from the Wind
Energy from the Wind
Produced: 1990s
Length: 4 Minutes
This NASA film documents the first large wind generator in Clayton, New Mexico and provides information on its effectiveness. The movie discusses the amount of energy produced by the machine, as well as the amount of money it saves for the town of Clayton. John Shoals (the project manager) and Robert O. Johnson (Clayton City Manager) both speak on the importance of the wind generator to the town. The film contains nice shots of the wind generator at night and shots of the sun rising.
