Clean Propulsion Technologies : Securing Technological Dominance for the Finnish Marine and Off-Road Powertrain Sectors

Abstract

The Clean Propulsion Technologies (CPT) project, established in 2021, brought together 15 research partners and original equipment manufacturers. The goal was to create a common vision and sustainable business solutions so that the worldwide technological leadership of the Finnish powertrain industry is secured. With a EUR 15.5 M budget, CPT brought early-stage innovative concepts towards technology readiness level (TRL) 6. The project’s particular significance was its unique cross-coupling of marine and off-road sectors, which have similar emission reduction targets but which do not compete for similar customers. The project yielded 21 innovative solutions, from accelerated model-based design methodologies and progress in combustion and aftertreatment control to hybrid energy management solutions. These were encapsulated in four ground-breaking demonstrations, including a next-generation marine engine working in low-temperature, reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) mode and a hydrogen off-road engine. An advanced close-coupled selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system and a hybrid wheel-platform with digital hydraulics were also demonstrated. The University of Vaasa led the consortium and was responsible for coordinated model-based rapid prototyping. This report examines University of Vaasa’s achievements during the CPT in terms of 26 milestones, 13 deliverables, and 32 research papers. It focuses also on other aspects, including lessons learned from managing large-scale academic–industry research.