The cost of a special ability is the amount of energy required to cast it while the research cost is the amount of resources (minerals and gas) need to make it available.
Allow the unit to burrow itself to hide from enemies. A burrowed unit can only be seen by a detector unit.
Allow to sacrifice a friendly Zerg unit to regain energy. Consume is a defiler ability. It can be used on burrowed units as well as on eggs but not on larvae.
Create a cloud (6x6) where ranged attacks have no effect. The cloud last 60 seconds. Melee and splash damages are not affected.