If we can predict lightning in an area, can this lead to an alternate source of energy? What are the contextual, technical difficulties for implementing such a system?
The problem is that the energy in lightning is contained in a very short period of time, only a few microseconds. Further, to obtain that 1 million joules, one would have to handle a voltage of several million volts.
But even at 1 million joules, the typical lightning strike contains only about ΒΌ of a kilowatt-hour of power, which is not enough to make much difference on our electric bill.
The problem is that the energy in lightning is contained in a very short period of time, only a few microseconds. Further, to obtain that 1 million joules, one would have to handle a voltage of several million volts.
But even at 1 million joules, the typical lightning strike contains only about ΒΌ of a kilowatt-hour of power, which is not enough to make much difference on our electric bill.