LEC EVOLET - LOCATION, THEMATIC ALLOCATION AND FOCAL POINTS

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

  • 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)

Planned realization and outcomes

The objective of the LEC EvoLET research programme is to develop innovative solutions for sustainable energy and transport systems. The focus is on drastic emission reduction. Using renewable energy sources (hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, 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. A key role in this is played by the permanent further development of detailed simulation models and methods (such as in the COMET-Modul LEC HybTec), their seamless integration into a consistent development methodology and their successful application. 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 under the most extreme environments 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. The permanent further development of the LEC simulation methodology has led to the fact that today this method can be successfully applied for emission reduction and overall energy system optimization of entire production sites.

History of establishment

The modern large engine research at Graz University of Technology started in 1994, when the first single-cylinder research engine, a Jenbacher type 6 gas engine, was established. A focus of the research work from the very beginning was the development and use of simulation methods for optimization. In 2002, the LEC brand was introduced. From 2002 to 2010, an industrial competence centre (KIND) existed within the framework of LEC GmbH, which was transferred to TU Graz and FVT GmbH after the programme expired. Since 2015, LEC EvoLET has existed as a funded K1 centre within the framework of LEC GmbH. In 2020, the COMET module LEC HybTec was approved.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

The Comet research program, a worldwide partner network and a unique infrastructure at the TU Graz campus provide the ideal framework to develop customized solutions for our partners and to foster innovation.

The LEC would like to thank its funding bodies for their financial support within the COMET-Program. This program is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministries for Climate Policy, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and for Federal Ministry of Labor and Economy (BMAW), represented by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency mbH (FFG), as well as by the federal states of Styria, Tyrol and Salzburg.

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