[Paul Anderson]

Paul Anderson  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi Chris and team,

Before  I forget this, I shall mention it.

I just saw your newbielink:http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/articles/article/howdothunderstormswork-2/ [nonactive].

I have often wondered about whether that energy could be used. Could it be collected by satellites and then discharged at a particular time as they pass over a land based receptor station?
 
Regards
 
Paul
NZ

What do you think?

[Mr. Scientist]

Maybe. I've never really thought of it...

[JnA]

Surely the problem with harnessing lightning energy is being in the right place at the right time...

[Mr. Scientist]

Predicting a storm isn't too difficult. The satellites have been able to predictn days to come of weather...

[JnA]

how about predicting strikes? How are we on that?

[ScientificBoyZClub]

how about predicting strikes? How are we on that?

no need to predict.
if you want to attract it.
YOU need charge.
and very big heights to place it.

[Geezer]

It's not that hard. If you send up a small rocket that unspools a small wire, the lightning will be happy to use the path to get to ground (although, technically, it's the other way round).

The problem is figuring out a way to store the large amount of energy received in a very short time so that it can be converted into useful work.

[syhprum]

It could be done but it would cost a ridiculous amount for the small amount of energy captured.
In a way it is captured, Nitrogen in the atmosphere is oxidised that acts as a fertiliser for vegetation.

[Mr. Scientist]

It's not that hard. If you send up a small rocket that unspools a small wire, the lightning will be happy to use the path to get to ground (although, technically, it's the other way round).

The problem is figuring out a way to store the large amount of energy received in a very short time so that it can be converted into useful work.

I'm sure there is some way.