Can we ever store energy produced in lightning?

Storing energy produced by lightning is theoretically possible but faces significant practical and technical challenges. Here are some key points that highlight the difficulties:

Energy Content and Duration

A single lightning bolt contains a substantial amount of energy, approximately 1-5 gigajoules or even up to one billion joules, which is enough to power several homes for a day234. However, this energy is released in an extremely short period, typically in microseconds, making it difficult to capture and store efficiently.

Capture and Storage Issues

The high power and short duration of lightning strikes mean that any capture system would need to handle extremely high voltages and currents. Existing batteries and storage systems are not capable of absorbing such rapid and intense energy discharges without being damaged34.

Predictability and Location

Lightning strikes are highly unpredictable, making it challenging to ensure that the energy can be captured consistently. Even if a system is set up to attract lightning, there is no guarantee that it will be struck24.

Conversion and Utilization

Converting the captured energy into a usable form is another significant hurdle. The energy from lightning is mostly used up in the strike itself, with the visible light and thunder being manifestations of this energy expenditure. Only a small fraction of the energy can be potentially harnessed and stored25.

Economic Feasibility

Given the technical challenges and the sporadic nature of lightning, harnessing lightning energy is not economically viable compared to other renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. The cost of setting up and maintaining the necessary infrastructure far outweighs the potential benefits245.

Advanced Concepts

While there are advanced concepts, such as using laser-induced plasma channels to direct lightning strikes to specific locations, these are still in the experimental phase and not yet practical for widespread energy harvesting1.

In summary, while it is theoretically possible to store energy from lightning, the practical, technical, and economic challenges make it highly impractical and unlikely to be a viable source of renewable energy in the near future.