METECH project develops solutions for precise and reliable emission measurements

Shipping, aviation, and non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) are significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants. These sectors are expected to remain reliant on combustion engines and turbines in the near term due to their limited electrification potential. Consequently, ambitious goals and actions for climate mitigation and air quality improvement have been established. The EU has set a target to reduce GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles by 45% by 2030, while the IMO aims for net-zero emissions from shipping by 2050. In the marine sector, regulatory frameworks such as the IMO Net-Zero and EU Emission Trading System (ETS) GHG emissions, cover also N₂O and CH₄ besides CO₂.

These directions highlight the need for improved measurement methodologies capable of accurately quantifying low-level emissions even under on-board and field conditions, which is the primary objective of the METECH project. The project covers both gaseous and particulate emissions, including greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O), non-GHG gases (e.g. NH₃ and SO₂), ultrafine particles and secondary aerosols. With new fuels and low-emission technologies, traditional emission measurement methods are not always suitable or sufficient. The METECH project develops precise measurement technologies and quantifies emissions to understand how new fuels and emission reduction technologies affect the entire chain from local emissions to atmospheric impacts. The developed measurement methods must function reliably in challenging field conditions, not only in laboratories.