Md Jahedul Islam

Lightning is an extraordinary phenomenon of an invisible force in the well-planned creation of the Creator. A wonderful mysterious beauty of nature is 'lightning'. Basically lightning involves a natural scientific mystery of charge or impregnation of clouds in the sky. Lightning is actually caused by ionized water particles.

The main cause of lightning depends mainly on geographical location. As the surface water evaporates and rises then the water vapor collides with the heavier particles below the cloud. As a result many water molecules lose electrons and become positively charged and other many water molecules gain electrons and become negatively charged. When this charged water vapor turns into a cloud then a large amount of static electricity is generated in the cloud.

At this time the relatively light positive charge is at the top of the cloud and the relatively heavy negative charge is at the bottom. When the amount of these two opposite charges in the cloud is sufficient then discharge process begins. The discharge process can be completed by the mixing of positive and negative charges of the same cloud.

Again the positive charge of one cloud and the negative charge of another cloud and the positive charge of another cloud are combined with the negative charge of that cloud and the discharge process is completed. On the other hand cloud to ground discharging means this discharge process can be completed between the positive charge of the cloud and the ground.Discharging causes an electric spark to flow through the air.

The flow of electrical sparks is 'lightning'. Not all lightning strikes land. Only lightning caused by cloud-to-ground discharging strikes the surface. Meanwhile air currents are non-conductive but static electricity in clouds is capable of producing up to ten (10) million volts. which ionizes a portion of the air. Charge flows through this ionized conductor.

The charge in lightning can be positive or negative. Positive charge lightning is more deadly and destructive in terms of damage. Lightning acts as a natural charge to keep Earth's gravitational force intact. Naturally when the wind is blowing strongly there is a surge in it. From this projection positive electricity accumulates in the upper part of the cloud and negative electricity accumulates in the lower part. When these two electrically conductive clouds come close then the positive of one and the negative of the other mix.

The flash of light that is seen then is lightning. The lower layers of clouds contain negative charges which are attracted to the positive charges on the Earth's surface. As a result there is a strong electric current between the Earth's surface and the cloud layer. A special feature of matter is that electrons in its atoms move from lower energy levels to higher energy levels by absorbing heat. Later if this heat is too much then it will be separated from the orbit.

As a result the atom becomes positively charged. The Earth's collective charge is zero (0). There are different charges at the surface and at the center of the Earth. At the center of the Earth there is intense pressure and heat. This happens because the temperature at the center of the Earth is much higher. As a result the center of the earth is positively charged and the atoms of the objects on the surface or slightly below it receive the electrons and become negatively charged.

To complete the discharge process with this negative charge the positive charge on the surface of the cloud descends to the surface. High towers, buildings, trees, and conductive objects on the surface of the earth attract the negative charge of the cloud and the electricity flows and falls to the ground.

In theory electricity can be generated by storing lightning. But it is not possible to do it on a large scale. A lightning bolt has a very large amount of energy and is very short. To harvest the energy from lightning it needs to be stored and converted into a more usable form. In order to generate electricity from lightning it is very important to have a good understanding of its application.

Overall extensive research is needed on the duration of lightning, availability of lightning, magnitude of energy derived from it, instantaneous conversion of such a large amount of energy etc. The average length of a regular thunderstorm is about 3-5 km. It is very difficult to collect the amount of electricity generated by lightning in a short period of time.

Again in addition to the electrical container to hold that amount of electricity then a transformer is also needed to make the electricity usable. To implement this technology successfully we need to envision a sophisticated technology implementation. First of all in this technology we have to use advanced information technology to confirm when lightning strikes at any place. With the help of modern technology if we can identify the places in the world where there is a high probability of lightning. Then the matter will become much easier for us.

Then we will try to imagine and implement a multiplan where there should be a system of three types of metallic materials such as electric holder to hold lightning electricity, capacitor to store electricity, electricity conductor, semiconductor and non-conductor. The amount of electricity that will fall from the lightning is captured as much as possible by the electric holder. After the rest is stored in a higher charger battery and the rest is released to the ground.

Conductive metals are used to transport electricity, semiconducting metals are used to control electricity, and nonconductive metals are used to avoid accidents. The entire lightning event takes place in a few thousandths of a secondIn a very short time. This change causes the surrounding air to expand like an explosion at great speed. This results in loud noise. It is this sound that we hear as the sound of thunder. During lightning the temperature of the air increases to about 27000°c and the pressure increases by about 10-100 times.

The unit of measurement of electrical energy is 'kilowatt/hour'. Meanwhile lightning three (3) miles from the ground is able to generate about one (1) billion to ten (10) billion joules of energy. Thus the power is 27,840 KW/hour. By inventing a scientific system capable of storing such a large amount of heat, pressure, and energy in a very short time electricity from lightning could be harnessed for free. But in that case the time to master the power of lightning would be less than a second. Scientists have been experimenting for many years to realize the use of the large amount of electricity generated from lightning in this short period of time.

They are continuing various types of research. It is very important to know the lightning forecast first. Where or in which area lightning may occur. Or rain with thunder can be said through advanced technology. But when it will happen and exactly where it will happen it is not possible to tell in advance with absolute precision. This matter of immediate warning is called nowcasting. It is impossible to know the weather forecast nowcasting.

Lightning strikes kill more people than natural calamities like storms and floods. Lightning is beneficial overall if we can only avoid loss of life from lightning and harness its electrical energy. It contributes to the fertility of the soil. Technology for predicting lightning is not entirely effective. For this we need strong radar network and satellite network technology. Satellite technology needs to be developed along with radar to get accurate forecasts. This type of frequency management requires very high technology. Roughly only 25% of the lightning that occurs throughout the year strikes the Earth's surface. The total energy of a large lightning strike is greater than that of a nuclear bomb.

It will be a profitable system if we can ensure proper use of the technology by calculating the cost of processing electricity from lightning and an ancillary cost of generating electricity normally. A large lightning strike may cause unexpected destruction of equipment at any moment. In addition to being alert about that we need to have a sensible idea. Lightning has the ability to build up a charge very quickly. Hence the need for a very strong and durable project is essential to contain this huge amount of energy from the explosion in a very short period of time. In order to convert this energy into low voltage electricity and store it as needed.

A large size battery or capacitor with high capacity is needed which can store the instantaneous. Lightning strike in the form of charge and can supply the stored energy according to the process. The energy contained in a lightning bolt is released when it strikes the ground.So we can capture very little part of the thunder.

Even determining the direction and location of lightning is very difficult. Some lightning can be attracted by building tall metal towers. Lightning releases a large amount of energy in a short period of time, making it difficult to convert it into usable electricity.

It is difficult to predict when and where lightning will strike. The point is that lightning strikes are unpredictable and random. Also lightning is not available throughout the year or as needed. Most occur in lake tropics and remote mountainous regions. It is difficult to build state-of-the-art energy conversion and storage facilities in this state. Even power distribution in populated areas will add greater objective and economic challenges.

The writer is a, ICT Cell, Jagannath University