Railway applications for high-Tc superconductors

Abstract

This paper investigates possible electric railway applications for superconducting technology, assuming that rapid advances are made in superconducting materials and the relevant R&D is carried out. First, it reviews the high-Tc superconducting materials that have been discovered since 1986. The remarkable development of silver sheathed, BiSrCaCuO-based superconducting wires and melt-processed REBaCuO (RE standing for rare earth) bulks with a high critical current density (Jc) at 77 K in magnetic fields will benefit their applications. Secondly, power transformers for rolling stock, superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems, flywheels, and cables are introduced as examples of possible candidate applications on conventional railways. Superconducting technology will contribute to solving global environmental problems and energy issues in the 21st century.