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Cleaner solutions for marine transport and heavy machinery

Published on 16.4.2021
Tampere University
The researchers at Tampere University can conduct practical experiments with their own hybrid wheel loader.
Researchers at Tampere University study the electrification of heavy machinery in a recently launched collaborative project titled Clean Propulsion Technologies, which seeks to develop radically new solutions for clean and efficient marine transport and heavy machinery. To pave the way for meeting the emissions target by 2035, the project participants are, among other things, developing multi-fuel and hydrogen engines and advanced emissions aftertreatment.

Business Finland has granted research funding for six research organizations and nine companies to bring sustainable, low-carbon propulsion solutions from the research phase to real-world application. The two-year project is led by the University of Vaasa, Finland.

The research organisations and companies will be working to turn the most promising, innovative powertrain technologies into new products. This will secure the compliance of the marine and heavy equipment industries with the emission and greenhouse gas regulations by 2035. In the long term, this goal will be met by developing a common technological roadmap for both industries to outline the steps to be taken to achieve compliance by 2050.

The most significant technological highlights of the expected project results will be a groundbreaking medium-speed engine working in fuel-flexible RCCI (Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition) mode and a concept for a high-speed, hydrogen-fuelled engine. The project will also focus on the development of advanced aftertreatment, hybrid propulsion technology and predictive powertrain control. Once completed, the project will result in an environmentally, socially and financially sustainable business model.

“Tampere University participates in the project by exploring the electrification of heavy machinery and conducting practical experiments with our own hybrid wheel loader. We maintain close collaboration, among other things, with Finland’s leading engine manufacturers Agco Power and Wärtsilä as well as other research organisations,” says Kalevi Huhtala, professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University.

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“Our common goal is to secure the position of global technology leader for the Finnish powertrain industry by creating a common vision and sustainable business solutions,” says Associate Professor Maciej Mikulski from the University of Vaasa. Mikulski acts as the responsible leader of the Clean Propulsion Technologies project.

The consortium brings together the key stakeholders involved in the intelligent energy ecosystem in Finland. The collaborative undertaking between leading engine manufacturers and research institutions will not only help to reduce the climate impact of the marine and heavy equipment industries but also strengthen their competitiveness in the global market. 

­The development of new, effective and clean propulsion technologies in cooperation with researchers is important to the partner companies. The project will also result in the creation of a new research network for the technology sector in Finland.  

The CPT consortium comprises six research organisations (University of Vaasa, Aalto University, Tampere University, Åbo Akademi University, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT) and nine companies (Wärtsilä Finland, AGCO Power, Meyer Turku, Napa, Dinex Finland, Proventia, Geyser Batteries, Bosch Rexroth and APUGenius). The project has a total budget of approximately €15 million, of which €7.6 million is provided by Business Finland. The partner companies and universities provide the rest of the funding.