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Fundraising for the Development of my Sustainable Electricity Generation Technology, an Antidote to Climate Change that Encompasses the Energy Trilemma

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Section 1: Introduction

My name is Ejovi Lawrence Efenure and I am a software engineer by profession. As such, I solve problems and design solutions for computer applications in any area of human endeavour. I am educated up to degree level with a bachelor’s degree in industrial mathematics and a master’s degree in software engineering. I find the subject of electricity generation an intriguing one and have obtained a number of Galileo Master Certificates in renewable energy and energy efficiency subjects. I am a member of the British Computer Society and hold the MEEC Membership of the EnergyCPD Renewable Energy Professional Membership programme awarded by the European Energy Centre, a professional body for education in renewable energy. I currently reside in London, UK.

Section 2: Brief Explanation of Need for Funding

The world needs energy that is obtainable through a process that does not result in carbon emissions and is cheaper than fossil fuel derived energy, as well as, one that is widely available and whose source is guaranteed. This ideal has been hard to meet over the years and the challenge it poses has been dubbed the energy trilemma by the World Energy Council in its definition of energy sustainability. A solution to the energy trilemma would also ideally include considerations for the way in which energy is used.

I have ideas for multiple products based on my sustainable energy generation technology, from a small product like a travel micro generator to a standby household generator to on-vehicle generator to megawatt capacity generators. The cost estimate varies and may be anywhere from £14,000 to £25,000 or more per product being considered. Pre-manufacturing costs would include the following:

1. Worldwide Intellectual Property protection - £8,000 to £15,000

2. Product idea design, visualisation & prototype - £6,000 to £10,000

The UK patent specification has been drafted, but it is wise to go through the product idea development stage before submitting a patent application so that the technical drawings and 3D images can be done professionally, as well as, the development of a first prototype. It is also essential to be financially capable of footing the bill for worldwide patent application, and time would be critical because my patent application qualifies for fast grant under the green channel since it has environmental benefit. Thus, a patent for my invention could be granted in under one year and I need to be financially capable of paying all the bills.

Hence, I will be needing financial support as soon as possible to pay the bills. A patent is normally granted within a space of about four years, but this would be different due to the urgency of a solution to climate change.

Section 3: Why the Project Is Important

My sustainable energy generation idea is important to me as a scientist and engineer because it represents a very important personal achievement, but most importantly, it is beneficial to the world at large because it is a game changer in the drive towards sustainable energy. Energy powers the world, be it transportation of people and goods, electrical devices in homes and offices, industrial processes and what not. This energy is mostly derived by converting energy stored in fossil fuels through a combustion process.

Burning coal, oil and gas releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which is now of an urgent environmental concern. The increasing demand for power that drives the world’s economies has led to an increase in energy conversion from fossil fuel, and this in turn has increased the carbon levels in the earth’s atmosphere. Since the 1960s, atmospheric carbon dioxide has gone up by nearly half – an extremely alarming rate of change. Carbon is one of the greenhouse gases that is responsible for global warming as it traps heat from the sun.

Global warming is one of the factors responsible for climate change and it affects such things as melting of Arctic sea ice and glaciers which implies rising global temperatures as less sunlight will get reflected back to space and coastal cities could get submerged with time as major ice bodies melt. Climate related disasters, such as hurricanes, floods and droughts, are also occurring more frequently than normal due to global warming. Global surface average temperature reached 1.69 degrees Fahrenheit in 2016 and has breached the previous year’s peak consecutively since 2014.

Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 197 countries signed a pact called the Paris Agreement to try to contain global temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), the level beyond which all manner of catastrophes could be expected to occur. The uptake of 100% clean energy is slow due to limitations in existing renewable energy technologies such as intermittent generation, high cost compared to fossil fuel derived energy, poorly accessible sources and means that are not suited to the ways in which energy is used.

Apart from damaging the environment, fossil fuel can eventually run out so the case for sustainable energy as a way of guaranteeing energy security is paramount.

Section 4: Final Remarks & Further Information

Energy is needed to sustain modern life and there is a move towards sustainable development through green energy. The main uses of my sustainable energy generation technology include:-

a) Distributed and micro-grid power generation, which can make the dream of smart cities a reality and also promotes decentralised power generation as opposed to centralised power generation, which has many disadvantages like major impact in a blackout.

b) Grid decarbonisation where a reliable alternative to the combustion process is available.

c) Rural electrification to bring electricity to billions of people around the world who have no electricity.

d) Standby and backup generator apparatus that is affordable to acquire and operate.

e) Sustainable energy source that is cheaper than fossil fuel derived energy, which will bring about energy equity for all around the globe.

The video below adds emphasis to the need for change in the energy access landscape and underscores the importance of my idea.

In closing, it would be greatly helpful if finance could be raised to get this sustainable energy generation technology through IP protection and product idea development. I would, therefore, implore all and sundry to make their contribution to a noble cause and would like to thank every donor in advance for their contribution. It would also be appreciated if the word is spread about this campaign via any means possible. As a thank you gift, anyone who donates at least £10 can request to be sent a free giffgaff (runs on O2 network) SIM card with £5 extra credit.

For further information on the energy trilemma and the fight against climate change, please visit the following websites:-

• World Energy Council – World Energy Trilemma

• Renewable Energy World – Types of Renewable Energy

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – Paris Agreement

• National Geographic – 7 Things to know about climate change