Well put you seem to have a great understanding of the element..
As you noted heat plays a useful factor in lightning release, due to lightning & electricity moving at such speed & creating vibrations within itself, it can leave scorch/burns mark on it's target.
Just as any other element lightnign can be used in various forms, such include..
Melee - when thinking Lightning + Taijutsu, the first things that come to mind are such techniques as Chidori, Lightning Cutter & Lightning Release Armour. These types of jutsu would be described as the most lethal, mainly due to the fact that with the aid of shape manipulation & the rapid compact vibrations & being fully controlled by the user, it has a much deadlier piercing effect rather than ranged jutsu that are released from the user, this is due to the user being unable to control the vibrations of an already released jutsu.
Weapons/Projectiles - When adding lightning chakra to such weapons, it has the ability to increasing the blades cutting ability such as Sasuke's Lightning , this is done by the lightning chakra forming a very thin coat across the weapon & as Lightning chakra continuously lets of vibrations, it allows weapons to slice through objects like butter. It is very similar to Wind release with a couple of differences being, it has a much better chance of slicing or piercing through denser objects but does not increase in speed, as seen when Asuma hurls a wind coated kunai.
Unfocused Currents - Although not as strong as the other methods, unfocused currents such as Nagashi can be used for a more widespread attack, being able to strike down multiple enemies but not with as much great force, it is a ranged attack that can be constantly used as long as the user continues to pour chakra into the technique, this of course comes with the drawback that you are left unable to perform any other jutsu or any that requires the use of chakra due to you having to concentrate on the current your supplying . Such a technique will require a medium to travel across with allows it to move further, but remember it would at most paralyis the opponent for a short term, dependent of their distance from the user.
Any questions?