COMET - Large Engines Competence Center LEC | Large Engines Competence Center

COMET competence centers conduct application-oriented cutting-edge research at the very highest level. Together with companies and research partners, they develop solutions for future topics such as climate protection, digitization, mobility and health. This strengthens the innovation and business location and secures Austria a place among the leaders in international research and creates highly qualified jobs. The COMET competence centers are financed by the federal government – specifically the Ministry of Climate Protection (BMK) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMAW) – and the Federal States of Austria. The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) has been responsible for professional program management for more than 20 years.

LEC GmbH has been one of Austria’s COMET K1-centers since 2015 and has been operating a COMET module since 2020.

The COMET research program, a worldwide network and a unique infrastructure at the TU Graz campus provide the ideal framework conditions to enable cutting-edge research and to work with the LEC´s partners on innovative technologies to accelerate the green transformation.

In 2022, the COMET research programme LEC GETS – LEC Green Energy and Transportation Systems was approved, extending its status as a COMET-K1 centre until 2030. In addition, the LEC has also been running the COMET module LEC HybTec – Hybrid Technologies for enhanced reliability of ultra high-performance engines since 2020.

COMET K1-CENTER LEC GETS

Main location: Graz (Styria)
Other locations: none
Thematic area: Energy & Environment

Key areas:

Sustainable energy and transport systems (towards zero emissions)
E-fuels (hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, etc.) for climate-neutral large engine applications
Virtual development platform (digital twins for various applications)
Innovative sensor technology and systems for measurement data transmission and engine condition monitoring

Planned realization and outcomes:

The objective of the LEC COMET research programme is to develop innovative solutions for sustainable energy and transport systems. The focus is on drastic emission reduction. Using renewable energy sources (green e-fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, etc.) for climate-neutral large engine applications, optimizing the overall system and the intensive use of digital technologies form the core of research. Having a highly flexible infrastructure enables a wide range of experimental investigations from the basics to the entire energy or propulsion system.The continuous development of detailed simulation models and methods (such as in the COMET module LEC HybTec), their seamless integration into a consistent development methodology and their successful application play a decisive role. Based on innovative solutions in the field of sensor technology, measurement data transmission systems and condition-based monitoring, the LEC develops intelligent engine components in order to monitor the systems’ condition and thus increase their robustness, life span and environmental soundness. To further minimize pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, advanced exhaust gas aftertreatment systems are developed and integrated into the overall system.

Founding History:

Modern large engine research at Graz University of Technology started in 1994 when the first single-cylinder research engine, an INNIO Jenbacher type 6 gas engine, was set up. From the very beginning, a focus of the research work was put on developing and using simulating methods for optimisation. Based on this research, an industrial competence center (KIND) was founded in 2002 and the LEC brand was introduced. Since 2015, the LEC has been a COMET-K1 center. The following COMET research programs have been approved:

THANKS TO OUR FUNDING BODIES

The LEC would like to thank its funding bodies for their financial support within the COMET-Program. The COMET-K1 Centre LEC GETS – LEC Green Energy and Transportation Systems is funded by the Ministry of Climate Protection (BMK) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMAW) as well as the Austrian Federal States of Styria, Tyrol and Salzburg.

The COMET module LEC HybTec is funded by the Ministry of Climate Protection (BMK) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMAW) as well as the Austrian Federal State of Styria.

The COMET program is administered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). The Austrian Federal States are represented by their respective business agencies: The Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG), the Tyrol Business Location Agency and Innovation Salzburg.