Development of linear drive technology and a magnetic levitation and stabilization system of the EDS type for the magnetic hybrid railroad and the vacuum tube railroad
Project title
Development of linear drive technology and a magnetic levitation and stabilization system of the EDS type for the magnetic hybrid railroad and the vacuum tube railroad
Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries
Nevomo LM S.A.
Name of programme
Operational Program “Smart Growth”
Competition
Fast Track
Project value
PLN 20,948,171.53
Funding value
PLN 16,408,093.98
Project delivery period
01.08.2019 – 30.05.2023
Our team
Przemysław Pączek, CEO. Graduate of ESCP Europe in Paris and the University of Economics in Krakow. 10 years of experience in finance and real estate. Doctorate in management in new technologies at Kozminski University in Warsaw. He also worked in Madrid and San Francisco.
Paweł Radziszewski, CTO and Vehicle Design Manager. Graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology. Expert in the field of aerodynamics and autonomous vehicles with extensive experience in R&D work conducted in Poland and around the world.
Łukasz Mielczarek, Infrastructure Design Manager. Graduate of the Łódź University of Technology. Construction engineer with over 10 years of experience in designing and monitoring the process of construction of transport infrastructure. Fully licensed to prepare engineering designs for roads in Poland.
Marcin Nikoniuk obtained a master’s degree (2009) and a doctorate (2018) in technical sciences at the Warsaw University of Technology. Currently he works at the Faculty of Transport of the Warsaw University of Technology and is the R&D manager at Nevomo responsible for the development of the MagRail technology.
Marek Michalczuk obtained master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology in 2009 and 2017. Currently he is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Warsaw University of Technology and a leader in power electronics at Nevomo where he works on the innovative MagRail technology. His research interests include drive automation and power electronics.
Results of our work
MagRail tests confirmed that rail vehicles can move on existing rail infrastructure without friction. During tests on an over 700-meter long section of the Nevomo test track in Nowa Sarzyna in the Podkarpackie Province MagRail vehicles reached speeds of 135 km/h, moving in stable levitation above a conventional railroad track. The 6-meter-long vehicle weighing 2 tons started to levitate at a speed of about 70 km/h, and accelerated to 100 km/h in 11 seconds. Ultimately, MagRail passenger trains should run on railroad lines at speeds of up to 550 km/h, significantly shortening travel times.
The link opens a video showing successful levitation tests:
Video
Work on the development of MagRail also allowed the development of another solution for applications on railroad infrastructure, in which the linear motor is the main component. MagRail Booster, part of the MagRail product portfolio, is the world’s first solution for modernizing existing infrastructure and rail cars. It uses a combination of an electromagnetic drive and a linear motor, which allows each car to move independently, without a locomotive. Moreover, freight cars modernized with MagRail Booster can autonomously couple with and decuple from other cars. Tests of the Booster technology carried out on the Nevomo track in Nowa Sarzyna have confirmed its ability to revolutionize railroad transport.
This video shows successful tests of the MagRail Booster technology:
Video
Issues addressed
We solve the problem of inefficient rail transport by developing innovative technologies for new generation railroads. Existing railroad lines are characterized by low efficiency, which hampers development of the sector. This means that the potential of rail transport is not fully used. The problem is worsened by the fact that the current infrastructure is not ready for new railroad technologies, which additionally negatively affects the pace of growth of the sector.
The challenge is to develop existing transportation systems, which have not seen a major technological breakthrough since the magnetic train was built in 1979. In the globalized world, passenger and freight transport are developing rapidly, but the current infrastructure is unable to meet the growing demand for transport services.
Nevomo’s MagRail technology has a potential to solve these problems. MagRail Booster, the first of our technologies for which the commercialization stage has begun, will initially help transfer cargo transport from trucks powered by combustion engines to a much safer and more efficient railroad electromagnetic system. Next, Nevomo’s technology can be used to increase efficiency and capacity in rail passenger transport. Thus, MagRail Booster will redefine rail transport, enabling its quick and effective modernization, supporting the goals of the European Green Deal. The approval of MagRail Booster and its first commercial implementation will open the way to a transformation of the railroad sector, ushering in an era of modern, efficient and sustainable railroad solutions.
Project beneficiaries
The implementation of an efficient next-generation railroad system is particularly important for sustainable economic development. Rail is one of the most environmentally friendly modes of public transport and significant improvements and increases in rail efficiency, especially in Europe, will have a significant impact on improving connectivity, deepening the integration of EU countries, economic growth and mobility in the region – and all that with increased environmental benefits. In fact, the implementation of the MagRail technology on railroads will benefit everyone.