The video opens with a group of windmills. Subsequently, the screen is divided into two halves. On the right side, it depicts a windmill. On the left side, display the video title "Sustainable Energies Power Agriculture." Images of oil fields, petrol pumps, and cars being refueled establish fossil fuels as non-renewable energy sources. The sequence transitions to the US Capital building and further illustrates renewable energy sources like solar panels and windmills.
For centuries, humans have relied on fossil fuels as an inexpensive source of power. But how much longer will fossil fuels be a viable source of energy? Fossil Fuels are considered non-renewable because it takes millions of years for them to develop, and the natural supply will eventually be exhausted. An oil shortage in the early 1970s forced world leaders to recognize that alternative and sustainable energy sources must be developed.
The screen is divided into two halves. On the right side, it depicts a windmill. On the left side, define the sustainable energy source as a resource that can be renewed or reused. Subsequently, the screen is divided into two halves. On the right side, it depicts a dam. On the left side, various sustainable energy sources are wind energy, solar energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy, and hydropower.
What is a sustainable energy source? A sustainable energy source is a resource that can be renewed or reused. There are several sustainable energy sources available including: Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Biomass Energy, Geothermal Energy, and Hydropower.
The video introduces "Wind Power" with a windmill image, showcasing windmills in different locations, including footage of windmills facilitating farmland irrigation. Next, the text box mentions, "The United States gets about 5% of its energy from wind power." The screen transitions depict the wind farms. Next, the text box mentions, "Wind farms can be found in 39 states, with the majority being located in Texas, California, and Iowa."
Wind power is not new and in fact has been used for centuries to save labor and perform tasks like pumping water and milling grains. Have you ever seen a windmill while traveling? Windmills are common sights in agricultural areas and are most often used to pump ground water to the surface for irrigation, home use, or livestock water. The modern version of the windmill is the wind turbine. Today, the United States gets about 5% of its electrical energy from wind power. Although the technology and equipment are costly, wind power is a clean and reliable resource. Currently wind farms can be found in 39 states with the majority being located in Texas, California, and Iowa.
Following the "Solar Power" introduction with solar panel images, a split-screen reiterates the concept that solar power is obtained by harnessing the radiant energy emitted by the sun and displays solar panels in various locations, including farms and energy generation plants.
Solar energy is another sustainable energy resource. Solar power is power obtained by harnessing the radiant energy emitted by the sun. Most solar energy systems use large flat panels containing specialized cells to collect and convert sunlight into electricity. Solar energy systems range from small single panels used to prevent livestock drinking water tanks from freezing to larger multi-panel systems used for power generation on a commercial scale.
A text box at the bottom of the screen indicates "Biomass Energy." Heat radiates from a pile of cut grass, segueing into "Biomass Energy" with an image of a biomass compost. The subsequent slide showcases a box of plant leaves and grass on the right. The left explains that biomass energy systems harness energy from organic matter as it decomposes, when it is burned, or when it is treated with chemicals.
Have you ever felt heat radiating from a pile of cut grass or when turning compost? That heat is biomass energy. Biomass energy systems harness energy from organic matter as it decomposes, when it is burned, or when it is treated with chemicals.
Heat radiates from a reservoir of hot water, introducing "Geothermal Energy." Next, Images illustrate water reservoirs emitting heat and showcase geothermal power plants used for various purposes like heating buildings, growing plants and greenhouses, drying crops, heating water at fish farms, and pasteurizing milk.
Geothermal energy is heat from the Earth. It's clean and sustainable. In the United States, most geothermal reservoirs of hot water are located in the western states. Wells can be drilled into underground reservoirs for the generation of electricity. Some geothermal power plants use the steam from a reservoir to power a turbine or generator. Hot water near the surface of the Earth can be used directly for heat. Direct-use agricultural applications might include heating buildings, growing plants in greenhouses, drying crops, heating water at fish farms, and even pasteurizing milk.
The video explains "Hydroelectric Energy" with an image of a hydroelectric power plant like a dam and water, displaying these plants in different settings like homes, farms, or ranches. Various components of hydroelectric power plants, including turbines and generators, are also showcased.
Hydroelectric power generates about 10% of the nation's energy. Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity. This is called hydroelectric power or hydropower. The most common type of hydroelectric power plant uses a dam on a river to store water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which in turn activates a generator to produce electricity. A small or micro-hydroelectric power system can produce enough electricity for a home, farm, or ranch.
The video concludes with a series of images displaying both current and futuristic renewable energy sources.
What other alternative energy sources are currently being used? Can you think of any alternative energy sources which might be developed and used in the future? The primary goal of using alternative energies is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and switch to renewable sources. Achieving this goal would provide power well into the future.