A Finnish consortium, comprised of research organizations and companies, has initiated the Flexible Clean Propulsion Technologies (Flext-CPT) project to develop fuel-flexible solutions for maritime transport and off-road machinery. The project aims to enable the optimal use of zero- and low-carbon fuels, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 100%. With a budget of €18 million primarily funded by Business Finland, the project seeks to establish a realistic path for the Finnish powertrain industry towards carbon neutrality and shape the future of the marine and off-road sectors.
The Flext-CPT project focuses on reducing dependency on single fuel types through the development of flexible hardware design, smart combustion control, efficient thermal management, and adaptive emission and hybrid energy management. By demonstrating robust powertrains capable of achieving significant reductions in tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions, the project aims to optimize fuel streams based on availability, pricing, combustion efficiency, and emissions. The research plan includes 33 innovations, ranging from fuel reforming-based reactivity on demand to thermal management of hybrid systems.
Led by the University of Vaasa, the Flext-CPT consortium includes several prominent members such as Tampere University, Aalto University, and Wärtsilä Finland Oy. The project involves international cooperation with partners from 12 countries and is part of the Wärtsilä-led Zero Emission Marine program and Meyer Turku-led NEcOLEAP program. By embracing various zero-carbon fuel options like hydrogen and ammonia, alongside low-carbon choices such as methane and biofuels, the consortium aims to address the industry’s emission reduction goals and pave the way for a greener future in the maritime sector.
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