Power Trip: The Story of Energy

About the Show

The story of how societies rise and fall can be told by tracing the story of energy. Energy is the secret underlying force that drives the systems of our modern world, but is often invisible to us, hidden right in front of our eyes. "Power Trip: The Story of Energy" explores humanity's most important resource by revealing the energy embedded in our water, food, wealth, cities, transportation and war.

Each of these one hour episodes begins with energy's end use, but then moves backwards and sideways to uncover the energy that was crucial to developing a vast, ubiquitous system. Filmed in stunning locations around the world, the series features notable experts like Author and Professor Michael Webber; Ernest Moniz, former Secretary of Energy of the United States; and Author Vijaya Nagarajan.

The series will leave viewers with historical context, a global perspective, and an optimistic view of the future for energy. As our modern world faces growing demand for and worsening environmental impacts from energy, we are at a crossroads and the stakes are high. But history shows us that energy's great value is that it allows societies to reinvent themselves.

"Power Trip" explores how energy has transformed societies of the past and offers wisdom for today's looming energy crisis. As in the past, each new energy innovation comes with trade-offs. Energy advances always come with costs, some of which won't be seen until centuries later. Energy initiatives need to be tailored to individual societies. We must look for long-term solutions. Our current energy crisis is real, but it is solvable. We have the power.