The Renewable Energy DVD
Looking Towards the Future
When young people look into the future what do they see? They are surrounded by dire news of global warming, the extinction of treasured species, the depletion of fossil fuel, and pollution of the earth’s ecosystems.
In March, Hummingbird Films’ John Feldman videotaped the 2008 Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference and interviewed sixteen leaders in the field of renewable energy. He was struck by a sense of optimism, of “shared goals” between engineers, entrepreneurs, and government entities, and by the ingenuity and resourcefulness which is being directed toward the energy “crisis.” All agreed that we need to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels (for a variety of reasons), be more conservative with our energy use, and rapidly develop all forms of renewable energy in a responsible manner. There is an urgent need for public education about energy production, use, and conservation. In order to move into the future in a positive, purposeful manner we all need to understand the energy crisis in all its scientific, social, political and economic ramifications. An education which addresses these questions will help high school students – and others -- develop the intellectual and creative tools needed for solving these urgent problems – a task they will necessarily inherit.
Producers
To address these concerns The Foundation for Ocean Renewables and Hummingbird Films, LLC have formed a partnership to make “The Renewable Energy DVD.”
The Renewable Energy DVD
Designed for use in high school and junior high school science and humanities classes, The Renewable Energy DVD, is a learning tool which explores the science behind energy as well as some of the related social and environmental issues. The DVD covers all forms of energy, while focusing on renewable energy and solutions to the energy dilemma.
The DVD is engaging, imaginative and appropriately geared toward the aesthetics of 21st century high school students. One of the video’s messages is that the renewable energy industry needs more electrical engineers, marine scientists, renewable energy advocates and communicators with the ability and understanding to translate scientific issues to the general public.
Structurally it is a series of seven short (three – seven minute) video modules, each of which answers basic questions about energy. The answers are given through narration, interviews, illustrative motion graphics, and stunning footage from Hummingbird Films’ extensive library as well as footage of machines that are used to convert motion and sunlight into electricity and heat. A review committee of scientists and engineers will ensure that each video is accurate.
The Videos
- What is energy? What is electricity? How does fire turn a turbine?
This video looks at the basics behind energy and electricity and shows how fuel (fossil fuels, nuclear, and biofuels,) is used to generate electricity. It will also touch on co-generation. - What is renewable energy? How do we turn a turbine without fuel?
This section is an overview look at renewable (non-fuel) energy in all its forms: solar, wind, water (waves, tides, hydro), geothermal. - How do we get energy from the motion of the oceans?
This video looks in more depth at how we get energy from the waves and tides. - How do we get energy from the sun, wind and earth?
This video looks in more depth at solar, wind and geothermal energy. - Can we use less energy?
This video looks at how we use energy (heat, electricity, and fuel for transportation) and how we can use it more efficiently. It covers hydrogen fuel cells and other new fuel types. - Who owns the waves? Who owns the wind? Who owns the sunlight?
This video looks at some of the regulatory and legal issues that are brought to the fore as we tap into renewable energy sources . - What are the environmental risks and social impacts of renewable energy?
Everything has some impact. This video looks at the risks of renewable energy, biofuel and nuclear energy, while also asking: “what is the risk of doing nothing?”
Audience
The Renewable Energy videos are designed for high school students, but will be equally useful for anyone who wants to learn about this important topic. Possible non-school uses include education for communities and community groups; education for legislatures and policy makers who might need a “refresher” on basic science; and, for anyone interested in understanding scientific issues on which they, as voters, taxpayers and energy consumers, may one day have to make a decision.
Distribution
The Renewable EnergyDVD will be distributed as a single DVD, and as individual video modules. The short length of each video is ideal for web distribution. It will be marketed to the high school educational market and to organizations involved in public education on energy.
Teachers’ Guide
The curriculum project will include a teachers’ guide which will be prepared in association with high school teachers and experts in curriculum development.
Keeping Up to Date
The content of the DVD which is about the basic physics behind energy and its use will not change over time, but information about technologies which are changing can be updated by making “update modules” deliverable through the web.
John Feldman biography
John Feldman of Hummingbird Films has been making films for nearly 40 years. These include four independent theatrical feature films, and many documentaries and educational films. His films have won numerous honors and received considerable critical acclaim. His feature, “Who the Hell is Bobby Roos?” which won the New American Cinema Award, is considered a pioneering digital feature. He has developed a reputation for being able to explain complex subjects to a lay audience in an engaging and informative way. In 2005, Mr. Feldman was invited by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito to lead a digital video production workshop to make a documentary at the 2005 World Evolution Summit on the Galapagos Islands. This film, EVO: Ten Questions Everyone Should Ask about Evolution, is currently in production and is a model for The Renewable Energy DVD. Mr. Feldman is concentrating on creating educational videos which are engaging to high school students and help them learn about science and the arts.
The Foundation for Ocean Renewables
The Foundation for Ocean Renewables (FOR) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to spreading the word about the clean, sustainable ocean renewable resources available for producing clean energy today. These technologies produce electricity from waves, tides, and ocean currents.
Interviews “in the can” for The Renewable Energy DVD
Chris Cambell, Ocean Renewable Energy Group, Canada
Joaquin Gonzalez, Foundation for Ocean Renewables
Dan Arvizu, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Carolyn Elefant, Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition
Randall Luthi, Director, Minerals Management Service, U.S. Dept. of Interior
Andy Krueger, MMS
Erin Trager, MMS
Jochen Bard, Institute for Solar Energy Supply Technology, Germany
George Hagerman Jr., Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute
Henry Jeffrey, University of Edinburgh, Institute for Energy Systems
Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative (D-WA)
Eoin Sweeney, Marine Institute, Ireland
Tony Lewis, University College Cork
Alla Weinstein, Power by Principle
Walt Musial, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Sean O’Neill, Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition
Contact Information
John Feldman
Hummingbird Films
P.O. Box 292, 93 Mallory Road
Spencertown, NY 12165
518-392-6843
jfeldman@hummingbirdfilms.com
Sean O’Neill
Foundation for Ocean Renewables
12909 Scarlet Oak Drive
Darnestown, Maryland 20878
(301) 869-3790
soneill@symmetrix.biz