Painstakingly transcribed by yours truly, it is my best attempt at capturing the wonderful words spoken by Vic Perrin. I hope you enjoy.
UNIVERSE OF
ENERGY
Part I: The
Kinetic Mosaic
The universe we know is one of dynamic
forces. Its heartbeat, sending a
constant flow of energy coursing through the vastness. This energy is never destroyed, nor is new
energy created. But energy is perceived
in different forms. Within the atoms of
all matter is, on a level most infinitesimal yet most powerful, is nuclear
energy. Binding atoms into molecules and
crystals, and stored in the cells of all living things is chemical energy. In the sudden flow of electrons, there is
electrical energy. In the world around
us there is constant motion, and in this motion, there is mechanical
energy. Unleashed in the motion of molecules
themselves is heat energy. Finally,
washing over the Earth in an all pervasive, never ending flood, is light
energy. We long observe with fascination
the interplay of these elemental forms of energy, noting that certain forms
often changed into others. Then through
the genius of the human mind came the realization that energy could be
harnessed, and made to work for us.
Energy locked in Earth’s vast forests was put to use. Fire became both friend and tool. The unbridled winds were captured. The flows of mighty rivers were tapped. For centuries, we depended on these three
resources alone. Then, only a little
while ago, we learned to use the energy locked in fossil fuels: in coal, in oil
and natural gas. The energy from these
fuels has dramatically advanced civilization.
Sooner or later, present resources will not be sufficient for the
world’s energy needs. Only by
understanding energy in its various forms, the universe of energy, can we build
a transition to a better tomorrow.
Listen
and you'll hear the heartbeat,
of
a universe teeming with force.
See
all the forms and the faces,
of
nature taking its course.
And
feel all the wonderful motion,
flowing
through things far and near.
Nature
will share her secrets,
when
we are ready to hear.
Energy,
these are a few of your faces,
glowing
in timeless places.
Bringing
our lives new graces.
Energy,
there is no living without you,
we
must keep learning about you.
Now
is the time to find how to.
Energy,
you are profound,
you
make the world go 'round and 'round.
You
make the world go 'round.
You
make the world go 'round.
You
make the world go 'round.
UNIVERSE OF
ENERGY
Part II: Energy
Creation Story
Sunlight, the original source of energy
in all fossil fuels. Its radiance,
falling upon the seas of Earth, yet rise to the first stirrings of life. Myriads of creatures evolve, feeding upon
plants and each other; capturing the sun’s energy for themselves. As death comes, there begins a ceaseless
silence snowfall of organic matter, drifting downwards with other sediments,
accumulating layer after layer upon the ocean floor. Finally, time, heat, and pressure transform
the sediments into shale, entombing countless remains of marine life. Eons of time pass, the shale buried still
more deeply, and its organic matter transformed into oil and gas. These fossil fuels then begin to creep into
surrounding lies of more permeable rock.
The endless wrenching of the Earth’s crust causes these strata to be
folded and broken, sometimes trapping oil and gas in porous rock. On the surface, vast new forms of plant life
take root. As sunlight floods the lush
primeval forests, every plant and tree captures this energy. Leading this cycle of life, these living
things, too, wither and fall. In marshy
areas, the decaying limbs and leaves forms a spongy mass of peat. For near endless millennia the process
continues, until marshes and swamps finally disappear, sinking deeper under
cover of mud and sand. Once again, heat,
pressure and time work a remarkable transformation: the peat turns into
coal. The formation of fossil fuels
occurred over a span of millions upon millions of years. Much of the Earth’s present supply was
deposited during the primeval era, when great reptiles roamed the land. Come with us now, and experience a few moments
in that dark and mysterious place.
UNIVERSE OF ENERGY
Part III: Energy Information
Center
Welcome
back folks, to the 20th Century.
As you have seen, the Mesozoic era was a time of violent geologic
activity. For a hundred million years,
the Earth was formed from natural forces.
Vast amounts of organic material were trapped deep inside the
Earth. And over millions of years it was
transformed into the fossil fuels we use today.
These monitors behind the operating console show current and future
energy resources around the world. Among
them are fossil fuels, nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, and
solar. Your traveling theater vehicles
are partially powered by the sun. The
solar cells on this building’s roof help recharge batteries in the vehicles
when they’re stopped. Computers guide
the vehicles along a wire that is just an eighth of an inch thick. The maps highlight locations that we’ll visit
during the next part of our journey.
We’ll travel from the Alaskan frontier, to the North Sea, to the Mid
East. We’ll explore potential energy
sources for the near and distant future.
Now that you’ve experienced the dramatic forces that created today’s
fossil fuels, let’s continue our journey through the Universe of Energy.
Technician
1: Increase mirrors to 100% tracking.
Technician
2: Roger, going on in four steps.
Technician
1: Moving to four.
Technician
2: What’s our expected output?
Technician
1: We’ll have ten megawatts here.
It’s
out there, everywhere. Much of the time,
pouring down on us like an endless rain.
Sometime in the next century, its immense power can be economically
harnessed, and sunlight itself will be the real keys to the Universe of Energy.
But
today, a far different form of energy is coming from sun-parched regions of the
globe, like the Middle East. Stretching
across the hot desert sands, massive pipelines carry petroleum to the edge of
the sea. It is a supply that is not
inexhaustible, however. But the global
demand for energy, all kinds of energy, continues to increase.
Most
countries must depend on the uncertainties of imported oil, until the big
breakthroughs finally happen.
But
the world can’t simply park its cars or turn off its lights until that
day. We must continue to conserve and
extend today’s energy sources, and develop a broad mix of alternatives for the
future. Already current supplies are
being stretched through the use of heat sensing monitors, and other new systems
which helps increase energy conservation.
At
the same time, special oil recovery techniques are helping to bring older
fields back to life.
Even
so, the world is continuing to diminish today’s known reserves. The energy search must go on to help us
bridge to the future. Out in space, eye
in the sky satellites scan the face of the earth, helping to find new oil and
gas deposits.
On
land, seismic crews record echoes to pinpoint new locations.
The
best hopes for finding major new supplies often lie in some of the world’s most
remote environments, sometimes miles below the ocean floor. On land, these great drilling platforms would
dwarf all of the world’s tallest buildings.
In the ocean, they function as complex, massive island communities, surviving
often treacherous waters, like the chilling, wind-swept North Sea. The deep water search is now pushing still
deeper. Here, a new breed of remote
control ocean floor units cab bring up oil and gas, once inaccessible to us.
The
job of transporting fossil fuels has its own challenges. Near the top of the world at Prudhoe Bay,
Alaska, is the largest oil field in North America. The trans-Alaska pipeline begins here: a nine
million dollar energy highway, stretching 800 miles over and under the rugged
frontier. About one and one-half million
barrels of crude oil arrive here everyday, enough to meet the petroleum needs
of nearly seven million households. But
even as these frontiers are explored, new technologies are being developed, that
one day, may economically provide energy in the form of synthetic gas and
liquids.
Synthetic
oil is already being produced from these vast Canadian tar sands.
Oil
shale: the rock that burns. Located in
the Western United States, it is one of the greatest synfuel resources of
all. Mined, crushed, and heated, it
could yield millions of barrels of liquid energy.
Smaller
quantities of synfuel may be derived from a pesky, river clogging weed, the
water hyacinth, along with grains, recycled wastes, and other biomass
resources.
Coal,
perhaps the most abundant of fossil fuels.
It is mined primarily to generate electricity, the growing demand for
the years ahead. And one day, it too may
yield large amounts of synthetic oil and gas.
Over one-fourth of the world’s coal is located in the United States;
that’s energy-equivalent to more than twice the Middle East oil supply. Sometimes, coal is hidden deep in the
Earth. Other times, it lies near the
surface. Here, the overlying soil and
rock must first be removed to reveal the coal deposits below. Then, it is replaced and replanted; a massive
reclamation project to help bring the land back to life. Another environmental demand on coal is also
important. While some is clean burning,
some requires precipitators and other new technologies, costly but necessary
systems designed to reduce emissions to harmless water vapor. Other sources, even small ones, may also help
meet tomorrow’s growing demand for electricity.
From
the Earth’s great underground cauldron: the power of geothermal steam.
From
the wind: age-old power to drive the windmills of tomorrow.
From
the restless sea, power from driving waves, tides, and changing temperatures,
and from the awesome force of moving and falling water: hydroelectric power.
Nuclear
energy: controversial, but still a significant source of electricity. Chicago, for example, gets more than half its
electric power from nuclear plants. And
around the world, France, Germany, Japan, and many other nations are continuing
to develop nuclear power as part of their energy bridge to the future.
Some
countries are also moving ahead with a new process: the Breeder reactor, which
actually creates more fuel than it operates.
Within
two decades, nuclear energy will probably contribute about a fourth of the
world’s electricity.
Unlimited
electric power for tomorrow; is it a fantasy?
A pipe-dream?
Scientists
at Princeton and other research centers don’t think so, as they inch towards
the process of the stars: nuclear fusion.
The challenge: to fuse hydrogen isotopes at temperatures exceeding 180 million
degrees. The potential exists for a real
breakthrough, to one day harness this inexhaustible, new energy source.
From
the sun itself comes another potential for the future, solar energy.
Solar
heating and cooling are already in limited use.
By the next century, research will hopefully lower the cost of
converting sunlight directly into electricity.
EPCOT’s
Energy pavilion provides a showcase for today’s solar technology. 80,000 photo-voltaic cells have been
installed on the roof. When exposed to
sunlight, they generate electric current to help power your traveling theater
cars. So, in a sense, you’ve been riding
on sunshine throughout our show.
In
our ever changing world, the road to tomorrow’s energy is indeed long, complex,
and challenging.
It
demands the development and wise use of today’s energy resources. It calls for practical and affordable new
sources for tomorrow. And it will
require the combined efforts of science, industry, government, and the
public. Then we will indeed bridge to
the future, to a world which one day may harness the entire universe of energy.
Feel the flow, here we go,
through the Universe of Energy.
Feel it grow, see it glow,
it's the Universe of Energy.
Come through time, set the course.
Sail the wind, tap the source.
From the sea, to the skies,
there's a force beyond our eyes.
Feel the flow, here we go,
through the Universe of Energy.
Feel it grow, see it glow,
it's the Universe of Energy.
Cross the bridge, future bound.
There's a flame, all around.
From the sea, to the skies,
there's a force beyond our eyes.
Feel the flow, here we go,
through the Universe,
the Universe,
the Universe,
Of Energy.
Of Energy.
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