1. Tornado Power - A Future Energy Source? By: Lisa Zyga

2. Background Tornadoes Violent, rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground level Atmospheric Vortex Engine (AVE) Generates artificial tornadoes by mixing hot air with cold air Hot air comes from nearby coal plants, sun or other ambient heat source

4. Background A potential energy source in the future Potentially world changing technology Ability to generate nearly 700 watts of electricity to power a city of 500,000 people Takes the concept of green technology to a whole new level

5. Interesting Points and Observations Possibility of harnessing and utilizing such a dangerous and highly unstable natural force Supposedly cheaper electricity can be produced Cost of electrical energy produced predicted to be just half other alternative energy system Nothing is wasted in the process Cost of cooling wasted steam - $20 million / cooling tower

6. Key Takeaways Potential energy sources are always available in the environment around us Human innovation has no bounds Technology can become so advanced to control even the most devastating natural phenomenon

7. Personal Assessment and Rating 7.5/10 +ve: Very in-depth explanation on this new technology -ve: Does not offer many criticisms of the innovation

8. Issues for Discussion Do you think it is safe for us to toy around with potentially fatal natural phenomena? Should we abandon older sources of energy for this new sources of energy?