Magnetically Confined Kinetic-Energy Storage Ring using Attractive Levitation

A design concept is presented for a magnetically confined kinetic-energy storage ring (MCKESR) using attractive levitation. Key features of the design include passive ring orbital stability by the method of alternating gradients, a continuous ring to minimize major loading fluctuations, and an external dump chamber that preserves the stationary components in case of loss of confinement. The rotating ring acts as a rotor of a synchronous motor/generator, with permanent magnets mounted on the ring interacting with copper coils that are connected to a cycloconverter to provide power input/output. For a MCKESR device capable of providing diurnal load leveling to utilities, material costs appear reasonable.