This is a pre-publication text. The published version is here: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148110004982 1 Summary Article: Catching Lightning for Alternative Energy DS Helman California State University Long Beach Abstract : The article reviews the current literature related to lightning and makes a case for using lightning as an alternative source of energy. Objections to using lightning as an alternative source of energy are listed. Current literature is reviewed and articles are suggested as useful for building a tower, or using rockets or lasers to target a strike, or for quantifying a lightning strike. Keywords: lightning, directed strike, alternative energy, global warming, climate. 1. Introduction This may be the first recent report to promote lightning as an alternative source of energy [1]. Nothing has been built yet. The aim of this report is twofold: (1.) to provide resources to answer “What technology is necessary to harness lightning as an energy source?” and (2.) to present a literature search of relevant articles. A common objection to using lightning for energy is reliability—it will not be there when the demand is present. A hydroelectric generator may open its gates to increase the supply of electricity. There is no way to do the same with lightning. If the energy from lightning is stored very rapidly and then is used to pump water uphill, the lightning effectively becomes a two-stage hydroelectric generator. This energy is available on demand. Another objection—No lightning generation may occur in a place if the frequency of lightning strikes is very low. First, in the conterminous US the greatest and fewest strike densities are in Florida and the Pacific coast, respectively [2]. The objection is noteworthy for California, false for Florida. Second, as the global temperature increases, the numbers of strikes per year are modeled to increase by 40% per degree K, plus an increase in positive lightning strikes is predicted [3]. Given this, lightning power generation is likely even in California. A third objection—how does one “catch” a strike. There are at least two successful techniques: (1.) Researchers in the U.S. [4] and France [5] have been targeting lightning strikes with a wire and rocket since the late 1960s and the late 1970s, respectively, and (2.) building a lightning tower is likely to be successful, since tall structures are often struck.