On the future sustainable ultra-high-speed maglev: A superconductor magnet technology enabling high energy efficiency and robustness

The blooming ultrahigh-speed SC maglev (superconducting magnetically levitated train) prompts green travel worldwide. We utilized high-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets and have developed an energyeconomical SC maglev prototype (Energ. Convers. Manage. (291)117247). In this paper, as a continuation, we further improve and maximize the performance of its key part - the HTS magnets, especially in compact high magnetic field and energy density operating conditions, by innovating an HTS magnet technology named the Shunted Extreme-NI Concept. The operational energy-robustness, -density, and -economy of HTS magnets, compared to the conventional type, are improved by 96.8%, 66.7%, and 52.5%, respectively. For a full-scale maglev equipped with this technology, the estimated energy consumption per passenger kilometer can be further reduced to below 20% of that of airplanes under the same cruising speed of 1000 km/h. This work is dedicated to advancing the energy performances of HTS magnets, heading to the future sustainable maglev transportation.