Hydrogen-Producing Skyscraper Harvests Energy From Bolts of Lightning

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/hydrogen">Hydrogen power</a> is an exciting <a href="http://inhabitat.com/energy/">alternative energy</a> source because it burns clean and emits only water vapor and heat -- however the tech is crippled by the fact that it takes a lot of energy to produce hydrogen fuel. This eye-popping Hydra Tower aims to solve the hydrogen conundrum in the most <em><del>logical</del></em> awesome way possible -- by harnessing bolts of lighting to smash molecules of water into hydrogen and oxygen. The spire's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/dystopian-farm-by-eric-vergne/">sinuous exoskeleton</a> is made from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/graphene/">graphene</a>, a carbon super-material that is 200 times stronger than steel and highly conductive to heat and electricity - the better to channel incredible amounts of energy straight from the sky.

Part lightning spire and part futuristic super-tower, the <a href="http://www.evolo.us/competition/hydra-skyscraper/">Hyrdra Skyscraper</a> was designed by Milos Vlastic, <a href="http://www.behance.net/Renovatio">Vuk Djordjevic</a>, Ana Lazovic, <a href="http://www.behance.net/Milica">Milica Stankovic</a>, and was an honorable mention in the <a href="http://www.evolo.us/competition/">2011 Evolo Skyscraper Competition</a>.

When lighting strikes, the spire's super-conductive graphene skin channels electricity into a massive array of batteries in the tower's base. This energy is then used to split water into hydrogen gas through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis">electrolysis</a>.

The project also includes a research facility, housing, and recreational areas for scientists and families - which we assume are a pleasure to use when the skyscraper isn't being blasted with <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_volts_of_electricity_does_a_lightning_bolt_have">one billion volts of electricity</a>.

The tower's twisting form was inspired by the Hydra, a simple freshwater animal.

It's meant to be implemented in the tropics, where 70% of all lighting occurs - this includes areas like Singapore, Central Florida, Venezuela, and Kifuka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Hydra Tower is an honerable mention in the 2011 Evolo Skyscraper competition, which challenged designers from around the world to envision the skyscrapers of tomorrow using the technologies of today.