The transport sector is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, accounting for about 25% of the total, according to the European Commission. Out of these emissions, 70% comes from road transport. Reducing these emissions is therefore essential for achieving the EU’s climate goals and ensuring a sustainable future. However, the transition to low-carbon mobility is not easy, especially for heavy duty vehicles that rely on diesel fuel and have limited sustainable alternatives.
That is why the Norway Grants are supporting an innovative project in Latvia that aims to develop a new technology that can replace diesel by up to 70% percent for heavy vehicles, thereby reducing their carbon emissions in half.
Key to reach net zero
The project, called ArtuPower, is led by ABLabs, a Latvian company that specializes in developing alternative fuel solutions for low-emission mobility, something we desperately need if we are to reach the target of net zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 in the European Grean Deal.
“The Green Deal tackles the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It aims to transform Europe into a sustainable and resilient continent while creating new jobs and economic opportunities”, says Natālija Siliņa, Head of the Project Implementation Division at the Norwegian Financial Mechanism Department, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
Up to 80% reduction in total emissions
ArtuPower is a high-performance dual fuel retrofit unit that can be installed on heavy-duty vehicles with engines with a capacity of up to 18 litres and has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 56%. The retrofit unit allows for the use of water vapor and compressed natural gas (CNG) or biogas (BioCNG) as alternative fuels, replacing up to 70% of the diesel with more sustainable options. Water vapor acts as a catalyst and improves the fuel combustion process, resulting in higher engine efficiency and lower emissions. The results are a potential total reduction of CO2 and other harmful emissions by up to 80%.
“By harnessing the energy of diesel fuel, renewable gases and water vapor, this technology substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions and boosts fuel efficiency. This positions ArtuPower as a crucial, immediate solution for reducing the carbon footprint of the transportation sector, aligning with global decarbonization efforts”, says Armands Jurjevs, Chief Executive Officer at ABLabs.
The engines also do not have to be rebuilt, resulting in a unit that is easy to install and supply immediate effect. This will not only have a positive impact on the environment but will also translate into significant cost savings for the operators, as well as increased competitiveness and market opportunities. The technology is also being patented in over 80 countries, with patents already granted in ten countries, including the United States.
Partnering up to drive change
Norsk Energi has been an important partner and plays a key role in the project with their expertise for calculations of emissions, such as CO2, Methane and Nitrous oxide, as well as other pollutants such as Carbon monoxide.
“Our Norwegian partner, Norsk Energi, is set to develop a comprehensive method for assessing the impact of the technology on greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions. This initiative will involve detailed calculations and evaluations, aimed at quantifying the technology's effectiveness in reducing emissions. Additionally, Norsk Energi will produce a thorough report, highlighting the climate benefits and the emission reduction potential of ArtuPower”, says Jurjevs.
The project is part of the Norway Grants programme Business Development, Innovation and SMEs, which aims to increase value creation and sustainable growth in Latvia, where businesses usually don’t have the capacity for innovation and research and development.
“We are pleased that with the Norway Grants' support, Latvian businesses can more rapidly implement environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions that increase their value and competitiveness in the market.” Says Silina.
Read more about the project here: https://www.ablabs.lv/artupower/
