Climate changes have turned out to be significantly severe during the last several decades. Slowing down global warming has become a common challenge all over the whole world. So far, more than 100 countries around the world have proposed targets to realize carbon neutrality by the mid-21st century, accounting for about 80% of the world's total carbon dioxide emissions. In a worldwide context of growing urbanization, the implementation of efficient, reliable, eco-friendly energy and transportation systems becomes imperative not only to meet the international agreements on CO2 reduction but also to guarantee livable conditions in urban areas. With the global increases in low-carbon energy and high-speed transportation infrastructures, how to deliver, store, and supply various kinds of cold, thermal, electric, and chemical energies efficiently and sustainably need to be studied more thoroughly.
High-temperature superconductor (HTS) is characterized by its ultra-high current density and virtually zero resistance. By using superconducting and cryogenic techniques, it will be possible to improve the economy, efficiency, and capacity of the existing energy and transportation systems. Replacing conventional copper-conductor-based power devices with superconductor-based counterparts can yield a more significant benefit for the integration of sustainable energy sources and multi-energy consumers. Currently, a great number of advanced superconductor-based techniques and applications have been developed and demonstrated in real engineering sites, mainly involving power cables, circuit breakers, energy storer and fault current limiter in energy sectors, and superconducting transformers, machines, maglev, propulsion in transportation sectors. These superconductor-based techniques and applications can work collaboratively, which makes sustainable energy generation, transmission, distribution, and supply chains more complex. A comprehensive understanding of these advanced superconducting devices and systems will ensure the transition towards a carbon-neutral planet in the future. To this end, this research topic seeks high-quality original works and reviews focusing on, but not limited to:
1. Advanced power devices in renewable-energy-based networks and grids
2. Advanced machines, high-speed trains, and maglevs for high-speed transportation
3. Energy storage and supply for electric vehicles, aircraft and ships
4. Multi-energy microgrids and electric-gas interactions
5. Hybrid energy transmissions and distributions
6. Superconducting and cryogenic power electronics
7. Deep decarbonization of energy and transportation systems
8. Artificial intelligence (AI) for energy and transportation systems
9. Low-carbon economy and carbon neutrality
Keywords: Superconducting power devices, Superconducting energy networks, Carbon neutrality, Deep decarbonization, Multi-energy microgrid, Zero-carbon energy, Low-carbon transportation
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