Prospective Sites for Solar-Powered Permafrost Stabilization Systems Integration in Russian Railways

As a possible solution for the prevention of global warming induced thawing of permafrost embankments, we have considered solar-powered heat-pump systems. This approach combines passive shielding of solar radiation and precipitation with active cooling in summer; it is compared to currently used methods of maintaining soil frozen. The main advantages of such approach are power output positive feedback to solar irradiation, no need in fuel supplies, and possibility of combination with existing thermosiphons. We have shown possibility of thawing prevention using suggested method. Suitable site and system configuration selection procedures are discussed.