Chapter 3: A New Spin on Energy

Louis Michaud is caught up in the idea of tornado power. The retired refinery engineer from a part of Ontario, Canada, known as “chemical valley” has spent much of his adult life studying how temperature differentials between the ground and the troposphere lead to the creation of tornados, dust devils and, over the ocean, water spouts. These naturally occurring vortices contain immense amounts of energy. In Chapter 3 you’ll find out how Michaud wants to harness that energy by creating man-made tornados that would “survive” using waste heat from industry or the warm ocean waters of the tropics. He calls his invention the atmospheric vortex engine, and while a small-scale version proves the concept works – including a prototype built in Michaud’s garage – taking it to the next level has been his greatest challenge. You’ll learn why.