I'm imagining a shield generator sitting there and the sand recolored to look like snow... that would indeed be a perfect explosion for the shield generator!

Wouldn't it be possible to contact that fellow in the vid and ask for his permission to use his video as a source? (and add his name to the credits for supplying the explosion)

If he has any love for SW and/or the work Ady is accomplishing, I'd imagine he would be more than happy with that (I know I would be perfectly fine with it if I were he) - this way it helps save time and, whenever possible, it's just always best to do practical effects ;)