With fossil fuels predicted to account for 80 percent of the world's energy in the near future, CO2 emissions and related environmental damages are likely to continue.

 

The likelihood of renewable sources substantially changing the mix of our energy supply is most unlikely. This is mostly due to the high investment costs and low, in-efficient returns.  Moreover, solar and wind technologies are very unstable as they are too dependent on the surrounding environment.  Nuclear energy investment is also unlikely due to high capital costs and resistance from society at large.

 

Studies also suggest that the increased use of non-renewable energies has lead to a rise in the number of earthquakes around the globe.  Inevitably, an increase in tectonic activity leads to a rise in volcanic eruptions.

 

As the global community continues to be faced with energy-related problems, a new form of energy generation, whereby anyone can easily access it in the form of electricity, must be considered.

 

An example of sustainable energy practice is the ‘Thermo-Electric Effect’ – the direct conversion of temperature difference into electric voltage. At the atomic scale, an applied temperature difference on the material will cause charged carriers in the material to disperse from the hot side to the cold side of the material, inducing a thermo-electric voltage.  An increase in the temperature difference will also lead to an increase in the thermoelectric voltage.  Traditionally, thermo-electric devices are devised using alternating p-type and n-type semiconductor elements connected by metallic connectors.

 

In response to the detrimental effects resulting from tectonic and volcanic activities, as well as inefficiencies seen in current renewable energy sources, the E-Spire establishes a new form of energy generation based on thermo-electric principles. 

Traditionally, thermo-electric generators are quite inefficient. However, the E-Spire has opened new boundaries – a new structure which maximises and regulates a constant temperature difference, hence producing a thermo-electric voltage – a hyper-efficient, clean form of electricity. 

 

The tower is mounted on top of a volcanic crater. Micro-perforated Heat-Pipes are inserted into the underground magma chamber (the ‘Hot Junction’ – 3km underground, over 1000oC) via the volcanic conduit. At the other end, high-performance Alloy-Pipes are wound together, creating an umbrella-like mesh which captures cool temperatures in the Mesosphere (the ‘Cold Junction’ – 100km in the sky, over -90 oC). 

The major part of the tower is the central spine.  The complex system is fundamentally made from three layers

-       Inner, Thermo-Electric Conduction

-       Middle, Titanium Diamond-cubic Structure

-       Outer, Anti-Magnetic field Support

 

Electric conductors are positioned at both ends of the tower, which are connected by an electric circuit that runs in the centre of the structure.  Hence, a ‘mega’ thermal-electric conductor is conceived.  The vast temperature difference created (-90 oC to 1000oC) as well as the use of high-performance materials made from nanotechnology, maximises the efficiency of thermal-electric generation.

 

At the centre of the E-Spire the Electricity Transmission Station.  Using an integrated E-WIFI System, electricity is run through transformers before being transmitted through E-WIFI nodes for worldwide use.  The consumer, having activated their E-WIFI device, can ‘receive’ electricity and charge-up their device wherever there is electrical signal, as the ETS is available 24/7.  The entire system is controlled and maintained offshore.

 

-       Zero CO2 emissions

-       Zero wastewater production or air pollution

-       Limited environmental impact

-       Limited land requirement

-       Reducing volcanic/tectonic activity

 

-       Reliable energy source (24/7 operational, remote connection)

-       Independent from fossil fuels (mitigating socio-economic bottlenecks)

-       Reducing electricity prices

-       Low maintenance