A major cross-industry initiative led by Wärtsilä, MAN Diesel & Turbo and Winterthur Gas & Diesel to develop basic technologies for use in two-stroke and four-stroke marine engines has been officially launched. The Hercules-2 project is aimed at fostering environmentally sustainable and more efficient shipping. It is in line with general European Union policy and is partly funded by the EU.
Altogether, 32 marine industry partners from 11 different companies, 16 universities, and five research organizations are cooperating in this project, with NTU Athens as coordinator. The research and development efforts focus on four main areas. These are; the application of alternative fuels and the optimization of fuel flexibility to facilitate seamless switching between different fuels; the development of new materials to support high-temperature component applications; the development of adaptive control methodologies to significantly improve an engine's performance throughout its life span; and to achieve near-zero emissions via combined, integrated, after-treatment of exhaust gases.
"Hercules-2 is a strong platform that will create a basis for the development of technologies applicable to ship engines in four to five years time. We have, therefore, positive expectations and look forward to collaborating with so many cross-industry partners," says Søren H. Jensen, vice president and head of research and development at MAN Diesel & Turbo.
The Hercules-2 project is scheduled to run for three years. It represents the follow-up phase of the Hercules research and development program for large engine technologies, which was originally conceived in 2004 by Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel & Turbo. The Hercules-2 technologies will eventually be employed aboard large ships.
Image: Hercules-2 logo/Wärtsilä
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