Noise from marine traffic has an ill effect on the surrounding environment. Reduced engine noise improves travelling comfort too. Business Finland has granted funding to the University of Vaasa for the Silent Engine research project. Together with partners, the University of Vaasa with its VEBIC laboratories will seek new silent and vibration-free solutions to help the Finnish powertrain industry meet the criteria set for noise, vibration, and sustainability.
Kenneth Widell from Wärtsilä leads one of the ZEM research themes which focuses on exploring the ways to make the operations in the production of zero-carbon fuels a feasible business. We discussed with Widell about the potential partners of this research theme and its ambitious objectives.
One of the R&D themes in the Zero Emission Marine ecosystem is led by Juho Nurmi from Wärtsilä. The theme focuses on creating business models that enable the commercialisation of the developed solutions for customers and help with the current and future challenges in the implementation. All this whilst following the new regulations imposed on the marine industry regarding emission reductions and sustainability aspects.
One of the R&D themes in the Zero Emission Marine (ZEM) ecosystem focuses on developing automated and optimised operations on fleet and vessel level to increase the efficiency of maritime operations by adapting new intelligent digital technologies. This will result in reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, and increased level of safety, reliability and compliance.
Technologies enabling the usage of green fuels is at the core of one of the research themes in the ZEM ecosystem. We discussed with Kaj Portin, who leads the activities at Wärtsilä to find ways how their engines and systems will be able to flexibly use green fuels in the near future.
Business Finland has granted major funding for the MASCOT partnership project which responds to materials performance challenges presented by the emerging CO2-neutral processes of circular economy and hydrogen technologies and generates the knowledge base essential for their reliability and competitiveness.
A virtual event brought together a diverse group of close to 150 stakeholders who share a mission to develop sustainable technology solutions reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the marine sector by 60% by 2030.