The MARPOWER Project took part in the ASME Turbo Expo 2026 (Turbomachinery Technical Conference & Exposition), one of the world’s leading events for turbomachinery and propulsion technologies, held in Milan, Italy, from 15 to 19 June. Organised by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a leading global engineering organisation supporting knowledge exchange and technological innovation, the event brought together more than 3,300 turbomachinery and propulsion engineering leaders from industry, academia and government.
Representatives from several MARPOWER partners contributed to the technical programme through two scientific presentations and participation in a panel discussion, showcasing research carried out within the project and engaging with the international turbomachinery community.
MARPOWER contributions at ASME Turbo Expo 2026
Professor Teemu Turunen-Saaresti from LUT University presented the study entitled Conceptual Design of Hydrogen-Fuelled Maritime Gas Turbine Power Systems. The research, carried out in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), showcased MARPOWER’s work on the conceptual design of hydrogen-fuelled gas turbine power systems for maritime applications and the project’s approach to advanced power conversion technologies.
The presentation generated questions and discussion from the audience, focusing on aspects such as system size and potential costs. The discussion also addressed the project’s approach to modularisation, compact system design and high-power density.
Later the same day, Nikhil Shinde from DLR presented research entitled CFD-Based Parametric Design Optimization of a Fuel-Flexible Jet-Stabilized Combustor for Marine Gas Turbines. The study, carried out by DLR within the MARPOWER project, focuses on the optimisation of a fuel-flexible combustor concept for marine gas turbines, supporting the development of advanced combustion systems capable of operating with hydrogen and other alternative fuels.
The presentation was well received during the session and generated technical discussion on approaches for evaluating combustor performance during the early design phase. Participants also suggested complementing the CFD results with future NOx emission data, which is planned once prototype testing has been completed and experimental measurements become available. The jet-stabilised combustor concept also attracted interest from researchers working on hydrogen combustion technologies.
The project was also represented during a panel discussion on the role of advanced turbomachinery in future flexible energy systems, where Tony Hynes, Executive Vice President for International Sales at Aurelia Technologies,, introduced MARPOWER while discussing the contribution of advanced gas turbine technologies to more flexible future energy systems.
In addition, Professor Giacomo Persico from Politecnico di Milano, who contributed to the research presented by Professor Teemu Turunen-Saaresti, chaired several technical sessions during the conference and attended presentations related to ongoing turbomachinery research involving his team, including work connected to MARPOWER.
Strengthening scientific exchange
Both technical presentations prompted discussion with attendees, providing an opportunity to exchange views on several of the engineering challenges associated with hydrogen-fuelled gas turbine technologies and fuel-flexible combustion systems. More broadly, the conference provided a valuable forum for knowledge exchange between MARPOWER partners and researchers working on related topics.
Discussions throughout the event highlighted common technical challenges associated with hydrogen combustion under high-pressure conditions, particularly flame flashback and thermo-acoustic instabilities. For DLR, the event also provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers working on related combustion technologies and discuss the project’s jet-stabilised combustor concept with other experts working in the field.
About MARPOWER
The MARPOWER Project is developing an advanced gas turbine-based energy conversion system for maritime transport. The project aims to support the decarbonisation of shipping through the development of a fuel-flexible energy conversion system capable of operating with renewable hydrogen and other net-zero fuel alternatives, including ammonia, green methane and green methanol.
By combining advanced turbomachinery, innovative combustion technologies and waste heat recovery, the project seeks to reduce emissions while maintaining the reliability, performance and operational flexibility required by the maritime sector during its transition towards cleaner energy sources. MARPOWER brings together a multidisciplinary European consortium coordinated by LUT University and comprising Aurelia Technologies, Alfa Laval, Politecnico di Milano, RINA Consulting, RINA Services the University of Vigo,, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Zabala Innovation.