Evaporating water could power 70% of US, claims study
Columbia University researchers have found that on harnessing the energy of evaporation, the country's water reservoirs could produce 325 gigawatts of power, nearly 70% of the national grid. Their prototype "Evaporation Engine" controlled humidity prompting bacterial spores to expand and contract. The spores' contractions could be used to generate electricity on demand, said researchers.