While summer often signals a slowdown for many projects, the MARPOWER consortium continues to push forward at full speed. On August 13th, team members from Aurelia Turbines, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and LUT University gathered at the LUT facilities in Lappeenranta, Finland, for a full-day meeting dedicated to defining the strategic actions for the coming months.
The discussions concentrated on two major work packages: “Requirements, System Design and Component Design” and “Critical Component Prototyping and Experimental Testing” of the MARPOWER Energy Conversion System. Participants examined in depth the progress and challenges in several critical areas. In the case of the generator, attention was given to cooling strategies, the current status of the Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and potential adjustments to the prototype’s design and manufacturing process. For the Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB) and seal design, the debate addressed axial forces, seal optimization, and improvements to observability and controllability, as well as the integration of 3D rotordynamics. Further FEA tasks were also reviewed, including work on the axial AMB, the turbine, and the Hirth and shrink fit compressor.
The meeting brought together a strong team of experts. Aurelia Turbines was represented by Toni Hartikainen and Veli-Matti Ikonen, with DTU’s participation led by IIlmar Ferreira Santos. From LUT, the group included MARPOWER coordinator Jussi Sopanen, together with Teemu Turunen-Saaresti, Juha Honkatukia, Juha Pyrhönen, Tuhin Choudhury, Lassi Aarniovuori, Niko Nevaranta, Toni Kangasmäki, Sadjad Madanzadeh, Juuso Narsakka, Giota Goswami, Kristof Szombati, Jiayi Chen, Henrik Ebel, and Julia Vauterin, covering all research and machine workshop teams involved in the project.
Once the formal sessions concluded, the group toured the Machine Dynamics and Electrical Drives and Motors laboratories at LUT. This visit offered valuable insight into the facilities and capabilities supporting the research, linking the day’s technical planning with practical, hands-on innovation.
This productive summer meeting is a clear example of MARPOWER’s commitment to its mission. By sustaining momentum even in August, the consortium shows that its dedication to developing an innovative and fuel-flexible MARPOWER Energy Conversion System does not take a holiday, ensuring steady progress towards cleaner and more efficient energy solutions for the maritime sector.