News

  • An inspiring and energizing meeting, 19.2.2026

Tomasz Chłoń, Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Helsinki, visited the University of Vaasa and was hosted by Adam Smale, Dean of the School of Management.
During the visit, iHAPC Project Manager Ksenia Siadkowska presented iHAPC as a flagship Finnish example of productive academia–industry cooperation, supported by strong Business Finland funding. The discussion offered a great opportunity to exchange perspectives, strengthen international ties, and highlight the relevance of partnership‑driven innovation.
Meetings like this not only spark new ideas – they strengthen international connections and open doors for impactful partnerships.

  • iHAPC in Spain, 10.01.2026

Last December, Jérémy Archier from University of Oulu carried out a research visit at CMT–Clean Mobility & Thermofluids (UPV), part of the Universitat Politècnica de València, within the framework of the iHAPC project. This visit was coordinated by Amin Andwari, WP6 leader, and José Ramón Serrano Cruz, host supervisor at CMT. Conducted under WP6, the mobility focused on gas-path process development and benchmarking APC concepts against oxy-fuel combustion control system design strategies.

” This research visit was a valuable opportunity to confront system-level simulation work on the Argon Power Cycle with experimentally grounded engine expertise. In particular, APC concepts were benchmarked against a fully operational oxy-fuel multicylinder engine test cell. The turbocharging and waste heat recovery work on the APC was initiated, enabling refined assumptions on gas-path constraints for hydrogen-fueled engines operating under closed-loop conditions,” says Jérémy Archier.

The first stage of the visit involved a detailed benchmark of the oxy-fuel cycle. As a semi-closed-loop concept, it currently represents the closest operational analogue to the closed-loop APC. This phase also included an investigation of carbon capture options for APC operation with hydrocarbon fuels, within the scope of WP8, which evaluates alternatives to hydrogen. The second stage focused on assessing the potential and feasibility of turbocharging the APC. The adopted framework combined analytical modeling with 1D simulations, aiming to adapt an existing air-based turbocharger for operation in an argon environment. This international collaboration is expected to lead to a joint scientific publication, focusing on turbocharging strategies for the Argon Power Cycle to exploit high exhaust enthalpy and reduce pumping losses.

  • iHAPC in WISE, 28.10.2025

WISE Webinar: Developing Innovative Technologies in the WISE Ecosystem – iHAPC project presented by Maciej Mikulski, project leader of the iHAPC consortium (University of Vaasa) and Jari Hyvönen, iHAPC Project Owner (Wärtsilä).

IT’S A GAME CHANGER FOR POWER PLANTS. OUR GOAL IS TO BE THE FIRST TO DEMONSTRATE iHAPC TECHNOLOGY ON A GLOBAL SCALE. – As stated by our key players during the WISE Webinar in Vaasa!

– High risk, high gain. WISE strongly supports this project due to its flexibility. There are many challenges, but we are still very excited. We need simulations to mimic combustion. We will validate the results of these simulations through full-scale experiments. The first year of the project was spent designing how to build the test cell. The next year is a continuation of building it up, says Jari Hyvönen.

– We have a solid consortium. We need all our partners with different focus and responsibility areas. One of the challenges is safe storage of hydrogen in the JointLab. What about the future? The next big thing is scaling this up to a real power plant. We have the opportunity to be part of something beautiful, says Maciej Mikulski.

The WISE ecosystem consists of 241 members. The iHAPC project is part of Wide and Intelligent Sustainable Energy Ecosystem. Link to the webinar: Watch the webinar

  •  iHAPC Autumn Workshop – Driving Innovation Through Collaboration, 21.10.2025

We hosted at the University of Vaasa one of the key events of the iHAPC project: a collaborative workshop focused on shaping the closed-loop HAPC system under Theme 1: Buildup and General Assembly. Almost 40 experts and decision-makers joined to co-create solutions, exchange insights, and make strategic decisions that will guide the next phase of development.

The workshop was structured around two core sessions, addressed in nine interdisciplinary groups, enabling focused discussions and diverse perspectives. This format fostered deep engagement and facilitated the integration of technical, strategic, and stakeholder-driven viewpoints.

As project partners, we continuously balance the expectations of industry stakeholders with the capabilities of research organisations. Workshops are essential for aligning visions, sharing data, and building trust across disciplines.

  • iHAPC at Politecnico di Milano, 15.10.2025

We’re happy to share that Professor Amin M. Andwari, iHAPC principal investigator at the University of Oulu, visited Politecnico di Milano to attend a PhD defense and deliver a seminar introducing the iHAPC project.

Reflecting on the experience, Prof. Andwari shared: “It was a pleasure to present the iHAPC project in such a vibrant academic environment. Engaging with colleagues at Politecnico di Milano was both inspiring and energizing – a reminder of the value of open dialogue and collaboration in advancing sustainable technology.”

Opportunities like this help us build bridges across institutions and bring our shared research closer to real-world impact!

  • iHAPC results – SAE International in Italy, 14-17.9.2025

We’re proud to share that the results of our simulation research were presented at the SAE International – 17th International Conference on Engines and Vehicles for Sustainable Transport (ICE2025), taking place on 14-17 September in Capri, Italy.

Our Task Leader, Sajid Ahammed, presented the paper titled: Enabling near-zero emissions and superior efficiency in large-bore, medium-speed engines with a hydrogen-argon power cycle.

This research marks a key milestone in demonstrating the potential of innovative thermodynamic cycles to support the decarbonization of large engine applications. For the first time, this study investigates the feasibility of the hydrogen–argon cycle in the context of its intended application in high-power-density peaking power plants. The study forms pre-design constraints for the corresponding world-first relevant-scale (150kW/per cylinder) demonstrator of the APC technology to be built in Finland by the iHAPC consortium.

The paper with details is available: Enabling near-zero emissions and superior efficiency in large-bore, medium-speed engines with a hydrogen-argon power cycle

  • iHAPC results – first stop: PTNSS Congress in Poland, 23-25.6.2025

In June 2025, the iHAPC project was presented for the first time outside Finland, during the 11th International Congress on Internal Combustion Engines (PTNSS) – a well-established event with over 20 years of history, held this year in Katowice, Poland.

The PTNSS Congress gathered more than 200 participants, including international experts in combustion engine technology: scientists, engineers, industry professionals, representatives from research institutions and the European Union. The event provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge and perspectives on the role of internal combustion engines in the evolving energy landscape.

During the New Engine Technology session, Project Manager and WP5 Leader, Ksenia Siadkowska delivered a presentation titled: “Integrated Hydrogen-Argon Power Cycle to improve combustion efficiency.” The speech generated significant interest, especially regarding: the use of argon in advanced combustion concepts; combustion modelling methodologies; the overall system approach and structure of the iHAPC project.

As a result, the event led to: establishing new international contacts; increased interest in visiting the project’s laboratory facilities; expressions of interest from researchers and experts wanting to engage with the iHAPC consortium.

The next edition of the PTNSS Congress is planned for June 2027 in Opole, Poland (Congress PTNSS)

 

The concept of iHAPC project was presented during Energy Week in Vaasa 20.03.2025 by Maciej Mikulski, iHAPC Project Leader.