Science and Nature

Power Trip: The Story of Energy

“Power Trip: the Story of Energy” is a 12-part, 12-hour-long documentary series directed by Mat Hames, based on Michael E. Webber's book. Season One explores energy in WATER, FOOD, CITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WEALTH and WAR. Season Two reveals energy as the underlying force that carries us to SPACE, causes large-scale DISASTERS, transforms WORK, CULTURE, and ENTERTAINMENT, and drives GLOBALIZATION.

Globalization

56m 19s

Learn how energy enabled rapid globalization, both as both a widely traded product and as a facilitator for moving goods globally. In the ancient world, globalization was always a goal, but modern forms of energy provided the missing link.

Episodes

  • Globalization: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Globalization

    S2 E6 - 56m 19s

    Learn how energy enabled rapid globalization, both as both a widely traded product and as a facilitator for moving goods globally. In the ancient world, globalization was always a goal, but modern forms of energy provided the missing link.

  • Culture: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Culture

    S2 E5 - 54m 44s

    Culture and modern energy go hand in hand. Our fashion, music and art all have been impacted by modern energy. Wealthy industrialists with fortunes made from energy funded much of modern culture, using energy systems to spread culture across the globe.

  • Entertainment: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Entertainment

    S2 E4 - 57m 15s

    Entertainment both shapes and reflects our attitudes about energy. Modern energy enabled mass entertainment like popular music, movies, TV shows and video games, which impacted our society. Energy changed sports with climate control and modern lighting, and amusement parks help familiarize customers with energy breakthroughs.

  • Work: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Work

    S2 E3 - 55m 33s

    Modern energy transformed work over time. From farm to factory to office and the “work from home” revolution, energy is embedded in our systems of employment. What is the future of energy and work?

  • Disasters: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Disasters

    S2 E2 - 56m 47s

    From oil spills and coal mine explosions to dam failures and nuclear meltdowns, we can learn much from disasters related to energy. At the same time, energy is the key to solving natural disasters and the looming disaster of climate change. In what ways does energy make our lives safer or more dangerous?

  • Space: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Space

    S2 E1 - 56m 49s

    Modern energy takes us on a journey to the final frontier. This episode traces the history of space travel, with a focus on the energy innovations making it possible. Lifting off into space depends on modern energy, and surviving in space also requires energy. Energy is required at every step in space exploration, and new forms of energy must be developed to reach other star systems.

Extras + Features

  • Globalization and Energy: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Globalization and Energy

    S2 E6 - 2m 47s

    An excerpt from 'Globalization.' U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and others on the 1970s energy crisis.

  • Globalization Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Globalization Preview

    S2 E6 - 30s

    Learn how energy enabled rapid globalization, both as both a widely traded product and as a facilitator for moving goods globally. In the ancient world, globalization was always a goal, but modern forms of energy provided the missing link.

  • Culture Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Culture Preview

    S2 E5 - 30s

    Culture and modern energy go hand in hand. Our fashion, music and art all have been impacted by modern energy. Wealthy industrialists with fortunes made from energy funded much of modern culture, using energy systems to spread culture across the globe.

  • Art and Oil Fortunes: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Art and Oil Fortunes

    S2 E5 - 4m 10s

    An excerpt from 'Culture.' Do we owe our enjoyment of art and antiquities to oil fortunes?

  • Entertainment Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Entertainment Preview

    S2 E4 - 30s

    Entertainment both shapes and reflects our attitudes about energy. Modern energy enabled mass entertainment like popular music, movies, TV shows and video games, which impacted our society. Energy changed sports with climate control and modern lighting, and amusement parks help familiarize customers with energy breakthroughs.

  • Work Preview: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Work Preview

    S2 E3 - 30s

    Modern energy transformed work over time. From farm to factory to office and the “work from home” revolution, energy is embedded in our systems of employment. What is the future of energy and work?

  • Power Grid Disasters: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Power Grid Disasters

    S2 E2 - 2m 47s

    An excerpt from 'Disasters.' Wall Street Journal Reporter Katherine Blunt explains the California Wildfires to show how aging power grid failures can lead to disasters

Schedule

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