Is it possible that lightning can be a source of energy?

Answer 1

Before a lightning strike can occur it must clear a path for itself: Pre-discharges build up the brilliant lightning channel between the negatively charged cloud underside and the positively charged Earth’s surface in bursts, a kind of invisible tube stretching for miles. As soon as this channel is built up, the lightning strike appears, and several other strokes retrace same channel within the fraction of a second.

Powerful only for a moment

When a lightning discharge occurs, it is faster than the word “with lightning speed“ suggests. In less than one thousandth of a second everything is over. In this extremely short period an enormous concentration of energy occurs: At voltages of several million volt, a lightning strike reaches current intensities of up to approx. 200,000 ampere. A comparison: Outlets in the house are usually fused with 16 ampere.

Such amounts of energy have an effect: When a lightning discharge occurs, the lightning channel is heated to 30,000 degrees and at the same time expands like an explosion. The product of this expansion is thunder. Since sound travels around 333 meters per second, the distance of a thunderstorm can be computed from the time passing between a lightning strike and thunder: The number of seconds divided by three gives the distance in kilometers.

As impressing as the energy of a lightning may be – not much comes of it due to the extremely short duration of the stroke. No more usable energy than an average of 40 kilowatt hours results. Even if it could be captured in a kind of thunderstorm power station – which is technically impossible –, it would not be worth the effort. And besides: What would be an appropriate site for such a power station, to ensure that it would be supplied with enough lightning strikes every day?

Lightning striking supply lines of houses is relatively rare today but cannot be excluded. Therefore, antennas and connections of radios and TV sets should be unplugged when a thunderstorm comes up, especially if the antenna is not equipped with a lightning arrester. This is particularly important before leaving the house for prolonged periods of time.

Also, the telephone should not be answered during a thunderstorm. Telephone systems are operated with low-voltage current, but when a line is struck by lightning, the voltage is increased for a few seconds, which may lead to damage. Such increases of voltage may also damage other sensitive electronic and electric devices.

Answer 2

Yes ,lightning can be a good source of energy. This all started with a discovery by a scientist that lightning gives off a very forceful energy. That's how electrical energy came about!

Answer 3

In the movie, "Back to the Future" staring Michale J. Fox ... a scientist created a time machine from a Delorian and Michale J. Fox went into the past.

Since the scientist used nuclear energy to initiate time travel, well, the kid had to find energy to get back. Lucky 4 the kid, he went back to a time when the mad scientist was a middle aged man and together (kid & scientist) came up with the idea to use "Lightning" as the energy to implement the time travel.

Certain contions must be available to use Lightning as energy. One, you must know when lightning is going to strike (lightning is very fickle you know). Two you must have ways to harnest the energy from the lightning.

At the end of the movie, the scientist went into the future and in the future, they're usuing recycled trash ... Guess what, that's what we're currently thinking of for alternative energy!!!

Sci-Fi writers ... so imaginative, and oftern their visions come true.

Answer 4

no. lightning does not store energy for long enough and we can never be ready to catch a lightning bolt.

Answer 5

It's been explored. It is possible to harness much of the energy, but the uncertainty behind it (not to mention hazard) makes it undesireable.

Perhaps it will be approached anew in the future.

Answer 6

Yes it could. However to be useable energy first it would have to be harnessed, which is a difficult task.