Energy Sources 101: These Short Videos Explain the Basics

If you’ve ever searched online for unbiased and fact-driven articles on energy, you’ve probably noticed that they can be quite rare. Almost every information source seems to be pushing an agenda.

Energy is a touchy subject, and billions of dollars are spent each year to campaign on issues surrounding fossil fuels, renewable energy funding, pipelines, environmental concerns, and fracking.

With so much at stake, special interest groups, governments, and corporations are constantly engaged to “win the war” on information by putting their own spin on facts. This creates a tangled web that is tough to navigate for any inquisitive person.

Energy Sources 101

Well, we have good news – recently, we came across a pretty nifty Youtube channel that is visual, intuitive, and fact-driven. It focuses on providing introductory information on different energy sources.

The Student Energy Movement aims to be a “universal entry point for learning about the energy system” by delivering accurate and unbiased energy information. Here’s some of the videos we thought were worthwhile, highlighting both the pros and cons of different energy sources:

Hydro

Explains how hydro power works, but also touches on pumped hydro (energy storage) and pros/cons.

Nuclear

The difference between fission and fusion, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of nuclear energy.

Oil

Explains how oil is formed, and also how it is processed and transported.

Natural Gas

Explains wet and dry gas, as well as how gas is extracted and processed.

Solar

Discusses both photovoltaic and solar thermal. For more information on how each of those types work, go here and here.

Also, here’s links to additional videos on energy sources such as geothermal, biofuels, coal, wind, and tidal.

Other Energy Topics

But that’s not all – the organization has also produced great videos on topics like fracking, in situ oil sands production, liquefied natural gas, and hydrogen.

Here are those videos in case you want to dive deeper into other energy topics:

Hydraulic Fracturing

Explains how “fracking” works.

In Situ Oil Sands Production

An alternative to mining in the oil sands, this video show how in situ production works.

Liquefied Natural Gas

This video shows how natural gas is liquefied, and transported to other markets.

Hydrogen

Examines the potential of hydrogen, along with the issues surrounding it. Also explains how fuel cells work.