The MARPOWER project is developing a next-generation gas turbine-based energy conversion system designed to operate on climate-neutral and zero-emission fuels and significantly improve the efficiency of onboard power generation. By combining advanced turbomachinery, waste heat recovery technologies, and high-performance electrical systems, the MARPOWER Energy Conversion System (MECS) aims to support Europe’s transition towards cleaner, more efficient maritime transport while maintaining reliability in demanding operational environments.
LUT University (Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology) plays a central technical and organisational role in the project. As Project Coordinator, the university ensures that research activities across the consortium progress in a coherent and integrated way, while also providing essential scientific and engineering expertise for the development of the MECS. LUT’s contribution brings together high-level coordination and advanced electromechanical research to support the delivery of MARPOWER’s ambitious technological goals.
A leading Finnish science university in high-efficiency power systems
LUT University is an international science university with campuses in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland, and a strong focus on technology, business, and social sciences. Established in 1969, the university conducts high-level academic research and provides education that addresses global challenges related to the energy transition, sustainable use of resources, and digital transformation. LUT University ranks among the world’s top universities in climate action according to Times Higher Education magazine, reflecting its long-standing commitment to sustainability and the energy transition. The university community includes more than 7,500 students and over 1,300 staff members representing 102 nationalities. Through research, innovation, and education, LUT University supports resilient industries, green growth, and sustainable societal development.
The university’s School of Energy Systems is internationally recognised for its work on resource-efficient and carbon-neutral energy technologies. This expertise directly supports two of MARPOWER’s core technological pillars: advanced power conversion and high-speed electromechanical systems. LUT’s long-standing research in these domains provides the performance, reliability, and systems-level understanding required to address the technical challenges associated with the MECS.
LUT University’s participation in MARPOWER is reinforced by its role in major, long-term national and institutional research initiatives that directly advance the university’s core fields of expertise:
- Centre of Excellence (CoE) in High-Speed Electromechanical Energy Conversion Systems
- LUT is a key partner in this CoE, funded by the Research Council of Finland. The centre brings together recognised research in High-Speed Electric Drives, Advanced Power Conversion, and Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs). The knowledge, methods, and innovations generated within the CoE form a strong scientific basis for MARPOWER’s advanced electromechanical and component-level developments.
- INERCOM – LUT’s Research Platform in Integrated Energy Conversion Machinery
- LUT’s MARPOWER team is closely connected to INERCOM, a platform focused on creating highly efficient, integrated solutions for energy conversion machinery. INERCOM brings together expertise in mathematical modelling, electromechanical design, materials research, turbomachinery, and machine dynamics. This holistic approach ensures that the MECS is conceptualised and developed not merely as a collection of components, but as an optimised, fully integrated power unit.
These research environments provide LUT with the tools, methodologies, and multidisciplinary perspective required to support MARPOWER at both system and component levels.
Core technical expertise
LUT’s scientific and engineering expertise translates into several key technical strengths that directly contribute to MARPOWER’s objectives:
- Advanced power conversion and generator development: LUT’s researchers design and optimise the energy conversion framework that underpins MECS performance, supporting highly efficient onboard power generation when operating with sustainable fuels.
- Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs): Through the Laboratory of Machine Dynamics, LUT leads research in AMB technologies for high-speed electrical machines. AMBs provide an oil-free, low-friction solution for rotor support, reducing wear, improving operational reliability, and enabling the high rotational speeds essential for next-generation maritime power systems. LUT develops control strategies and uses sophisticated Finite Element Method (FEM)-based modelling to ensure AMB stability under marine conditions, including vessel motion and dynamic loads.
- High-speed electromechanical systems: LUT’s work on rotor dynamics, shaft stability, material behaviour, and system-level interactions contributes to the design of robust and efficient rotating machinery suitable for demanding shipboard environments.
These capabilities directly support component design, performance validation, and system integration within MARPOWER.
Driving MARPOWER: LUT’s pivotal roles
LUT University translates its recognised research excellence into several critical responsibilities across the MARPOWER consortium:
- Project Coordination: Directing the overall strategy, implementation, and progress of the eleven-partner collaboration.
- Leadership of component prototyping: Working together with partners Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Politecnico di Milano, Alfa Laval, and Aurelia Technologies to design, test, and validate the core gas turbine components.
- AMB system specification: Defining requirements for sizing, control, and operational stability of the high-pressure shaft to ensure reliable rotordynamic behaviour in real marine operating conditions.
- System integration support: Helping define mechanical, electrical, and thermal interfaces within the MECS to ensure coherent interaction between subsystems.
- Contribution to the MARPOWER system simulation tool: Supporting performance modelling for the Gas Turbine (GT) and Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS) cycles and enabling design optimisation across realistic ship operation scenarios.
Together, these roles demonstrate LUT’s essential technical and scientific contribution to the MARPOWER project.
A dedicated team advancing MARPOWER at LUT University
The university’s work is carried out by a multidisciplinary team of experts:
- Professor Jussi Sopanen: Head of the Laboratory of Machine Dynamics, serving as MARPOWER Project Coordinator and overseeing LUT University’s scientific and technical contribution.
- Julia Vauterin: Project Manager supporting project coordination and leading financial and administrative management.
- Dr Tuhin Choudhury: Post-doctoral Researcher, coordinating LUT’s technical activities and ensuring effective collaboration between engineering teams and consortium partners.
- Professor Teemu Turunen-Saaresti: Head of the Fluid Dynamics Research Group, leading contributions related to gas turbine aerodynamics and fluid dynamics.
- Professor Niko Nevaranta: From the Laboratory of Control Engineering and Digital Systems, leading LUT’s development of active magnetic bearing (AMB) systems for marine applications within MARPOWER.
- Professor Lassi Aarniovuori: From the Laboratory of Electrical Drives Technology, leading developments related to electrical machine design and integration.
These experts, together with wider research teams at LUT, form a strong foundation supporting the scientific and technological progress of MARPOWER.
Advancing cleaner maritime energy through European collaboration
By combining research excellence in high-efficiency power systems, high-speed electromechanical machinery, and system integration, LUT University plays a central role in developing the MARPOWER energy conversion system. Its work supports the project’s contribution to Europe’s transition towards cleaner, more efficient maritime transport.
MARPOWER brings together a strong European consortium consisting of LUT University, Aurelia Technologies, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Politecnico di Milano, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Alfa Laval, RINA Consulting, RINA Services, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the University of Vigo, and Zabala Innovation, combining complementary expertise in turbomachinery, electromechanical systems, heat recovery, digital modelling, safety, regulation, and innovation management.