The original question was: Would it be possible to create a very dense cloud cover inside a laboratory under controlled conditions and generate “artificial lightning”? the Power output would be Amazing!! it would really help solve our energy crisis.
The Chaitén volcano in Chile. Holy shit.
Physicist: Lightning is generated in the same way that static electricity is generated when you drag your feet on a carpet. A storm cloud or an ash cloud is just a whole mess of feet and carpet. As ash explodes out of a volcano it rubs together. Almost all of that kinetic energy becomes more heat, but a very, very small fraction becomes electrical energy.
It is entirely possible to create static electricity, and even lightning using this method. Van de Graaf generators, for example, use rubbing to generate voltages in excess of a 1,000,000V. However, it’s a very inefficient method for generating power. Dynamo generators (the standard generator) are surprisingly efficient.
Essentially, it would take a lot of energy to throw all that dust into the air and get it moving and, because you can’t get more energy out than you put in, it wouldn’t be worth it. In fact the electrical power you would get out would be tiny compared to the power it took to make it work in the first place. That being said, it would look pretty cool, so why not?
Artificial lightning (in miniature) is regularly created in places like NEETRAC at Georgia Tech.
An artificial lightning bolt.
This lightning is generated using capacitor banks (not rubbing stuff together, the way natural lightning is created) and is feeble by comparison to the real thing. Also, it isn’t used to generate power. It’s used to test the ability of new equipment and machines to survive lightning strikes.
Speaking of lightnings… Have you guys seen videos of the “ArcAttack” musical tesla coil at the Bay Area Maker Faire? Pretty neat.
where lightning come from?
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i am working on a similar project, and my question is this, if one used solar panels to capture the energy needed to create the supercell storm and power other processes, could the scaled down lightning power electrolysis cells capable of converting ocean water, into clean air, clean water, hydrogen fuel, etc, and be controlled so as not to cause a massive explosion due to the combustibility of the split elements?
How artificial lightining is possible using capacitor banks?
Capacitors can store electrical energy, but unlike batteries, they’re really good at releasing that power all at once.
how to use the lightining power because your concept is to produce a electrical energy from lightining but you waste the energy to create it so your artifical lightining must be produce wastage
Am thinking on this kind of a thing tat is about creating a lightning bolt..for tat what are the areas one should be thorough?