The 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines in Tianjin

The 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines kicked off in Tianjin on Saturday, putting the debut of the world's most efficient commercial diesel engine under the spotlight. With the theme "Green, Reliable, Intelligent, Efficient," the congress was jointly organized by the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines and Tianjin University. It attracted nearly 40  scholars from home and abroad, as well as scientists, entrepreneurs, and technical workers from over 20 countries, to discuss the future development of internal combustion engines against the backdrop of "dual carbon" challenges.

Wan Gang, chairman of the China Association for Science and Technology, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Zhang Gong, deputy secretary of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee and mayor; Rick Boom, president of the International Council on Combustion Engines; Jin Donghan, president of both the 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines and Tianjin University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; and An Tiecheng, chairman of the China Automotive Technology Research Center Co Ltd also attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Huang Zhen, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and other experts from China and other countries presented reports at the congress. Shu Gequn, vice president of the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines and Party secretary of the University of Science and Technology of China, presided over the ceremony.

Attendees unanimously agreed that in the face of the enormous challenges in global energy transformation, internal combustion engines still play an irreplaceable role in promoting economic and social development. Carbon-neutral fuels and zero-carbon fuels will rejuvenate the internal combustion engine industry.

During the opening ceremony, Weichai Power Co Ltd introduced the world's first commercialized diesel engine with a base engine brake thermal efficiency over 53 percent, marking a new milestone for the industry. This achievement signifies a leap forward in key technologies like high-expansion combustion and high-efficiency fuel injection. As estimated by Weichai, if related technologies are widely used in China, the country can save nearly 20 million tons of fuel and reduce carbon emissions by over 60 million tons annually, helping to accelerate the realization of China's "carbon peak and carbon neutrality" goals.

  A world-leading efficient diesel engine made by Weichai debuts during the 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines in Tianjin on April 20, 2024.

"In the realm of transportation, engineering machinery, and long-distance shipping, internal combustion engines stand as the predominant driving force, promising substantial potential in promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction. We aim, through this congress, to actively explore the pathways to achieve 'carbon neutrality' in internal combustion engine technology, thereby contributing to the advancement of the global internal combustion engine industry and enhancing human societal well-being," stated Jin. 

Tianjin University served as a co-host for this congress. The university has established China's first national key laboratory in the field of internal combustion engines, achieving a series of landmark accomplishments over the past 30 years and securing 18 national-level scientific and technological awards. In 2023, the university restructured to establish the State Key Laboratory of Engines, with a clear focus on "efficiency, zero carbon, and intelligence" as the primary research directions for the future, aiming to make significant contributions toward achieving the "dual carbon" goals. 

"Tianjin stands as a significant hub for China's internal combustion engine industry, boasting strong foundations in research and development, manufacturing, testing, and component production. The convening of the World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines in Tianjin holds particular significance, both for the city and the internal combustion engine industry," Jin remarked.

                                      The 2024 World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines in Tianjin

The World Congress on Internal Combustion Engines was initiated by the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines in 2018 and serves as a comprehensive technical exchange event for the global internal combustion engine industry, with the participation of countries, regions, and organizations worldwide. It is held every three years and covers international academic exchanges, summit forums, promotion of technical achievements, high-end product exhibitions, and on-site technical inspections. 

This year's congress invited renowned experts and scholars from the US, Germany, the UK, Canada, Japan, Spain, and other countries to present conference reports. It collected more than 500 academic papers and set up sub-sessions with titles such as Sustainable Transportation & Intelligent Control, Efficient and Clean Combustion, Carbon Neutrality and Emission Control Technology, Design, Manufacturing, Lubrication and Reliability, Fuel Cells and Energy Storage, and Modern Power. Twenty-one leading units in the internal combustion engine and related industries were invited to showcase new technology, products, and achievements in recent years in the exhibition area.