Wärtsilä developing future combustion engine technology

Wärtsilä one of leading companies in research programme for developing future combustion engine technology
Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 23 November 2009, at 9.15 am (EET)
Wärtsilä is one of the leading companies driving a major national three-year combustion engine technology research programme. The initiative has been set up by a wide and cross-functional consortium of Finnish technology companies and leading research institutes. The principal aim of the Future Combustion Engine Power Plant (FCEP) programme is to develop reciprocating engine and related power plant technologies to ensure that Finnish industry can maintain its leading position in global markets, while meeting the requirements of tightening environmental legislation. This unique project also enables closer co-operation that will create synergies between the research activities of the consortium members.

The programme is to be led and co-ordinated by CLEEN Oy, the Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation of Finland (CSTI) for Energy and the Environment. The programme will start on January 1, 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.

Wärtsilä is one of the biggest contributors to the FCEP programme. Of the programme’s EUR 38 million total cost, EUR 10.2 million will be covered by the participating companies, and EUR 5 million by the research institutes. The remainder will be funded by the government through Tekes (The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation).

The key areas of research will include improvements in the combustion process, energy efficiency, emissions reduction methods, heat recovery systems, and power conversion technologies. Fuel flexibility and the use of biofuels in combustion engines are also to be amongst the central areas of research.

“The FCEP programme addresses the critical areas for success in the changing energy markets. This broad collaboration between industry and the research institutes is essential to enhancing the competitiveness of Finnish Industries. The consortium members are excited at the prospects that this research can lead to, and look forward to working within the framework of the newly established CSTI in a collaborative manner towards common objectives,” comments Mr Juha Kytölä, President of Wärtsilä Finland.

The consortium consists of the country’s leading combustion engine and power equipment manufacturers, supported by leading research institutes and universities. The seventeen consortium partners represent high-level technical and scientific excellence in Finland. Amongst its leading corporate members are Wärtsilä Finland Oy, Agco Sisu Power Oy and ABB Oy. The main research institutes include VTT (the Technical Research Centre of Finland), Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), Tampere University of Technology, Lappeenranta University of Technology, and the University of Vaasa. In addition, Metso Power Oy, Metso Automation Oy, Wapice Oy, Ecocat Oy, Gasum Oy, MIKES Centre for Metrology and Accreditation, the University of Oulu, Turku University of Applied Sciences and Åbo Akademi University will also participate in the project.

Source: Wartsila