Details of research on using electricty from Lightening of the sky

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the feasibility of harnessing electricity from lightning, exploring both theoretical and practical aspects of this concept. Participants examine the potential for energy storage and the challenges associated with capturing lightning energy for power generation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the practicality of harnessing lightning due to its dangerous and unpredictable nature.
  • Others argue that the energy from lightning is not dense or continuous enough for reliable power generation.
  • A participant suggests that a large capacitor or Van de Graaff generator connected to a lightning protection system could potentially store some of the electricity from lightning.
  • Another viewpoint posits that various methods of power storage could be adapted for lightning energy, although specifics are not detailed.
  • Concerns are raised about the inefficiency of capturing lightning energy, noting that most of the power is lost as sound, heat, and radio waves, with only a small fraction available for use or storage.
  • A cited source states that even if lightning energy could be captured, it would only provide enough power for a light bulb for a few months, highlighting the impracticality of using it to power a home.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus on the feasibility of harnessing lightning energy. While some acknowledge the potential for energy storage, others emphasize the significant challenges and limitations involved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific methods of energy capture and storage, as well as the unresolved nature of the technical challenges associated with harnessing lightning energy.

shivakumar06
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is it possible to harness the lightning to get electricity.
 
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Absolutely. It's also so dangerous and unpredictable that it's useless as a concept for power generation.
 
Also throw in not dense or continuous enough for widespread, continuous use.
 
can a huge capacitor or van dee graaff generator connected to lightning protection system store a part of the electricity from lightening.
 
I would think that practically any method of power storage could be adapted to lightning.
 
Last edited:
“However, there are two seemingly insolvable problems in tapping the power of lightning: (1) most of the power is converted to thunder, hot air, and radio waves which cannot, at present, be recovered, leaving only a small fraction available at the (lightning) channel for immediate use or storage. And (2) it is impractical to intercept with tall towers or similar schemes any significant amount of lightning energy. For example, the total energy in a single flash, if it could be captured, would operate a single light bulb for only a few months. Since only a small fraction of the total flash is available, thousands of flashes would have to be captured during that period to power a single home.”

From “The Lightning Discharge” by Martin A. Uman, Dover Publications, 2001

Cheers,
Bobbywhy
 

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