Generating electricity from electric charge?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of generating electricity from large charged objects, specifically exploring the potential to direct electric charges and harness energy from phenomena like lightning or atmospheric electricity. The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical challenges related to energy storage and collection methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether it is possible to direct charges from a large charged object to generate current, suggesting the idea of storing energy for later use.
  • Another participant asserts that while the energy is already in the form of electricity, directing it to a location where it already exists is conceptually challenging.
  • There is a discussion about the possibility of directing lightning strikes for energy use, with one participant noting that current methods do not allow for energy storage from lightning.
  • One participant proposes the idea of slowly collecting electrons from clouds as a method to generate electricity, seeking clarification on how this could be achieved.
  • Another participant agrees with the idea of collecting electrons but emphasizes the current limitations in technology and the need for energy storage solutions.
  • A separate idea is introduced about using blimps as a potential method for harnessing electricity.
  • Another participant suggests that using coal is a more reliable and cost-effective method compared to attempting to harness atmospheric electricity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of harnessing electricity from charged objects and lightning. There is no consensus on the methods or practicality of these ideas, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential for collecting atmospheric electricity.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in current technology for storing energy from lightning and the transient nature of lightning storms, which complicates the feasibility of continuous energy sourcing.

iamandanyc
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If I have a really big charged object, is it possible to direct the charges to an object/the same place and generate current/electricity from it? It was just something I thought of, totally random, but I'd like to know the reasoning behind it C:
 
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iamandanyc said:
If I have a really big charged object, is it possible to direct the charges to an object

Yes
the same place

The same place? How do you direct something to where it already is?
and generate current/electricity from it?

If it's charged, the energy is already in the form of electricity.

What I feel you're asking is can we direct it somewhere and store it for later use. And then by extension I can see you leading on to something along the lines of "can we 'direct' lightning and use it as a source of electricity?".

At the moment, no. We can force lightning where we want it to land by sending a rocket into a storm cloud with a wire attached, but we can't store the energy from the lightning bolt.
 
I know trying to harness electricity from lightning would only result in the equipment being roasted, but is there were a way to slowly collect the electrons from clouds and generate electricity? And how would that be done?
 
iamandanyc said:
I know trying to harness electricity from lightning would only result in the equipment being roasted, but is there were a way to slowly collect the electrons from clouds and generate electricity? And how would that be done?

Bingo, knew exactly where you were going.

As per my above post, at this point in time we simply can't do it. It isn't as simple as building towers into storm clouds.

Lightning storms, although common in some places, don't last long enough for us to continuously source from so we'd have to store the energy somehow. That is where the downfall lies.
 
My idea, posted in another thread, was to use blimps :)
 
or use coal because it is much cheaper and much more reliable
 

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