Following on from the first Hercules programme, which consisted of three projects running between 2004 and 2014, the initiative – if approved under the EU’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - is intended to develop a “fuel-flexible marine engine that is optimally adaptive to its operating environment", using full-scale prototypes and shipboard demonstration models.
The 32-partner Hercules consortium, of which 30% are European industrial firms including MAN (D&T) and Wärtsilä and 70% are universities and research institutes, will between them tackle four “Work Package Groups” (WPGs) covering fuel flexibility, materials, longevity and emissions.
The budget is divided between industry and the universities on a 63% - 37% basis respectively.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.