Abstract: A system for performing magnetic levitation of an energy storage flywheel, including an upper levitator pole which includes a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, a lower levitator pole fixed to the energy storage flywheel and being formed of a material capable of being attracted to or repelled from the upper levitator pole when a magnetic flux is applied to the magnetic flux path of the permanent magnet of the upper levitator pole, an electromagnetic driver which applies an electric current through the electromagnet of the upper levitator pole, and a controller which controls the electromagnetic driver so as to control the electric current applied through the electromagnet, causing the lower levitator pole to be controllably attracted to or repelled from the upper levitator pole.