ValiantDefender said: “name a power source that doesn’t convert energy into steam to drive a turbine. Even solar energy is most efficient when used to cause a classified liquid to boil which then drives a turbine.”

Sure: Fuel cells. Actually mechanical operation of a turbine is a highly IN-efficient way to extract energy.

[quote]Jeffrey93 said: “Who cares how it happens…just figure o

Why does that irritate me? Because the HOW is Damn Interesting!

Part of the process of harnessing any type of energy is to learn how it’s created in the first place. Without knowing how it’s created you would not know how to harness it properly.

Seriously tho. This is interesting, I didn’t know scientists thought there was not enuff energy. I thought it was commonly ‘known’ that it was because of the electrical potential energy between earth and sky, and lightning was generated by stormclouds’ ions rubbing together, bringing the ‘sky’ side of the electrical difference closer to the earth. (Ok, so I’m not a professional scientist..hehe)
Tho confirmation of this research study might have wide-ranging effects in research. If solar and interstellar wind comes down close enough to create lightning, what other effects might it have?

Cosmic rays are known to cause mutations, if they interact and impart their energy to stormclouds in the way this study suggests, living on a water planet (with the resulting humid atmosphere) might have more implications on the course of evolution than previously thought.