A consortium of Finnish companies and research organisations, including firms like Wärtsilä, Meyer Turku and Napa, have been granted €7.9 million by the Finnish government to fund a Clean Propulsion Technologies project to explore radical new systems for clean and efficient marine and off-road transport.
The project is expected to run until spring 2023, with the funds provided by Business Finland, the Finnish government’s organisation for innovation funding and trade, travel and investment promotion.
Led by the University of Vaasa, the Clean Propulsion Technologies project addresses tightening emissions legislation and ways in which new technologies can be employed to create sustainable propulsion capabilities.
The most significant technological aspects of the project are a medium-speed engine working in fuel-flexible Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) mode, the further development of dual-fuel engine technology to enable a reduction in methane emissions at low and partial load, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) control technology improvements, and the development of machine learning control technology for greater accuracy in engine automation and control.
The research will further focus on developments in after-treatment measures aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%. Designing and implementing an optimal predictive powertrain control architecture for hybrid propulsion is also on the agenda.
The partners note that the ultimate goal is to develop technologies to support compliance with emission and greenhouse gas regulations in the marine and off-road transport segments by 2035, as well as the creation of technological roadmap for compliance with the IMO’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2050.
In addition to the aforementioned organisations, the other project partners are Aalto University, Åbo Akademi University, Tampere University, VTT Research Centre of Finland, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, AGCO Power, Dinex Finland, Geyser Batteries, Proventia, Bosch Rexroth, and APUGenius.
