Wärtsilä and Aalto University have signed a new five-year research and development cooperation agreement, which continues the parties’ collaboration to promote clean energy technology innovations. The renewed agreement builds on previous, highly successful cooperation and places an even stronger emphasis on international collaboration. The partnership’s focus areas continue to be research and insight, competence development, recruitment, and educational cooperation.
The results of the cooperation can be seen, for example, in the following projects that promote carbon neutrality development in the marine and energy sectors:
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Zero Emission Marine, a strategic research program aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the marine sector by 60 percent by 2030.
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The HENNES project, a collaborative project between Aalto University and the University of Turku funded by Business Finland, focuses on hydrogen combustion processes and hydrogen-derived fuels. The goal is to develop emission-free technology that promotes Europe’s transition away from fossil fuels. The project is part of the Wärtsilä-led Zero Emission Marine program.
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The AINA project, a collaborative project between Aalto University and the University of Turku, delves into the use of ammonia as an alternative fuel and its practical applications as part of the development towards carbon-neutral marine transport. The project is part of the Wärtsilä-led Zero Emission Marine program.
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Hi-EFECTS, a collaborative project involving Aalto University, Lund University, World Maritime University, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), develops renewable fuels, such as ammonia and methanol, suitable for marine engines. The goal is to build a success story for green shipping based on high-level research and leading expertise in the field.
A key feature of the renewed agreement is a more international focus than before: cooperation with international academic networks and partners will be strengthened to accelerate knowledge sharing and innovation. New research areas include, for example, virtual validation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, and advanced materials.
Wärtsilä also recently announced a new doctoral program with Aalto University, the University of Vaasa, and LUT University. This unique program aims to accelerate future technological innovation by offering doctoral students research topics, secure funding, and support from experts at the collaborating universities and Wärtsilä.