Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology request
- POD Reference
- TRLV20260720022
- Term of Validity
- 20 July 2026 - 20 July 2027
- Company's Country
- Latvia
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
General information
- Short Summary
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A Latvian organisation is developing EU cooperation projects in advanced marine propulsion technologies.
The organisation is seeking an SME or industrial company established in the EU that has developed an engine or hybrid propulsion system capable of operating on one or more e-fuels and suitable, or adaptable, for marine use. The technology must be at min TRL 6. Partner is expected in further technical development, fuel compatibility, validation, industrialisation and commercialization. - Full Description
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A Latvian organisation experienced in European innovation and technology-development projects is building cooperation opportunities for Horizon Europe and other future EU-funded projects in the field of e-fuel-compatible marine propulsion.
The organisation is seeking an engine or propulsion-system manufacturer established in an EU Member State that has already developed an engine, generator-based propulsion package or hybrid system capable of operating on one or more synthetic e-fuels.
In the European Union context, the term e-fuel generally refers to a synthetic gaseous or liquid fuel produced using renewable electricity. Renewable electricity is typically used to produce renewable hydrogen through electrolysis. This hydrogen can then be combined with captured carbon dioxide or, for certain fuels, nitrogen to produce synthetic fuels.
Examples may include:
* e-methanol;
* e-methane;
* e-diesel;
* e-ammonia;
* other renewable hydrogen-derived synthetic fuels.
In EU policy and legislation, many such fuels are classified as renewable fuels of non-biological origin, or RFNBOs, provided that they comply with the applicable requirements concerning renewable electricity, production pathways and greenhouse-gas-emission savings.
For this partner search, an e-fuel-capable propulsion system means an engine or integrated powertrain that is designed, demonstrated, certified or technically adaptable to operate on a qualifying synthetic fuel produced mainly from renewable electricity rather than directly from fossil feedstocks.
The proposed technology must have reached at least Technology Readiness Level 6 and should already exist as a functional prototype, integrated propulsion system or pre-commercial product demonstrated in a relevant environment.
The sought solution may include:
* internal-combustion engines capable of operating on e-methanol;
* engines compatible with e-methane or synthetic methane;
* engines capable of using synthetic diesel or e-diesel;
* ammonia-capable engines where the fuel pathway is based on renewable hydrogen;
* dual-fuel or multi-fuel engines;
* e-fuel-electric hybrid propulsion;
* generator-based propulsion systems using e-fuels;
* engines combined with batteries, electric motors or energy-management systems;
* conversion or retrofit technologies enabling an existing engine platform to operate on an e-fuel.
The proposed propulsion system must be designed for, used in, or capable of being adapted to marine operating conditions, including exposure to moisture, saltwater, corrosion, vibration, temperature variation and demanding duty cycles.
The cooperation is not intended to support the development of a new engine from the initial concept stage. The selected company should already own, manufacture or have the documented legal right to develop and commercialise the proposed technology.
Potential cooperation activities may include:
* adaptation of an existing engine to one or more e-fuels;
* fuel-system and combustion-system optimisation;
* improvement of efficiency, emissions and operational reliability;
* development of dual-fuel or multi-fuel operating modes;
* integration with electric propulsion, batteries or generators;
* optimisation of control and energy-management systems;
* adaptation to additional marine configurations;
* validation and demonstration in relevant operating conditions;
* preparation for certification and regulatory compliance;
* industrialisation and market deployment.
The exact fuel pathway, propulsion configuration and development activities will be defined jointly with the selected manufacturer under suitable Horizon Europe topics or other relevant EU funding opportunities.
Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the planned initiative, details concerning the wider project concept, cooperation structure, intended applications and proposed activities will not be disclosed publicly. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
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The sought manufacturer should have:
* an existing engine or hybrid propulsion system capable of operating on at least one e-fuel;
* minimum TRL 6;
* ownership of, or documented development and commercialisation rights to, the technology;
* internal competence in engine, combustion, fuel-system or hybrid-powertrain development;
* a system designed for marine use or realistically adaptable to marine conditions;
* evidence of fuel compatibility, testing or technical feasibility;
* a credible pathway towards certification, industrialisation and commercial scale-up;
* capacity to participate in Horizon Europe or other EU-funded research, innovation or demonstration projects;
* willingness to contribute personnel, technical resources and, where required, co-financing.
Relevant fuels may include:
* e-methanol;
* e-methane;
* e-diesel or synthetic diesel;
* e-ammonia;
* another renewable hydrogen-derived synthetic fuel consistent with applicable EU requirements.
The use of the term “e-fuel” does not automatically mean that every synthetic fuel qualifies as renewable under EU legislation. The selected partner should be able to identify the intended fuel pathway and explain its expected compatibility with relevant EU renewable-fuel and greenhouse-gas-accounting requirements.
No detailed engine power, displacement or marine-platform category is prescribed at the public profile stage. - Stage of Development
- Available for demonstration
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Goal 13: Climate Action
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
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The selected company is expected to:
* participate as an industrial project partner;
* provide an existing e-fuel-capable engine or propulsion system;
* identify the required technical development and fuel-compatibility work;
* carry out agreed engineering, integration and validation activities;
* contribute to emissions, safety, certification and regulatory-compliance work;
* provide evidence of technology maturity and rights to develop the solution;
* contribute to industrialisation and commercialisation planning;
* participate actively in proposal preparation;
* provide the necessary technical, administrative and financial information;
* contribute co-financing where required by the selected EU funding programme.
The organisation is not seeking fuel traders, consultants, fuel producers without relevant engine or propulsion technology, distributors without development rights or organisations offering only proposal-writing services. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME <=10
- SME 11-49
- Big company
- Other
- SME 50 - 249
- University
- R&D Institution
- Type of partnership
- Research and development cooperation agreement
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 02008008 - Water Transport
- 02009001 - Design of Vehicles
- 02009005 - Shipbuilding
- 02008007 - Transhipment Systems
- 02009002 - Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
- Market keywords
- 08003007 - Other industrial equipment and machinery
- 08003006 - Power transmission equipment (including generators & motors)
- 08003005 - Other industrial machinery for textile, paper & other industries
- Targeted countries
- All countries