Background
Stebercraft Pty Ltd (trading as Steber International) is a manufacturer of custom-made vessels for defence, government, commercial and recreational uses. A partnership with Ampcontrol and the University of Newcastle has seen them anchor down new hybrid diesel electric power systems to replace their current diesel only topology.
A Business Evaluation (now called Growth Roadmap) service conducted in 2016 with a facilitator from the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme helped Steber International understand opportunities for growth and improvement in tighter market conditions. This evaluation led to focussing their research and development on defence, government and recreational sectors. is a manufacturer of custom-made water vessels for commercial, recreational and composite uses.
The opportunity
Steber International's idea was to develop a hybrid diesel electric boat prototype to evaluate the commercial viability for a range of boating applications. A whisper-quiet electric mode is desirable for many applications such as marine park boats, police boats, inspection boats and security vessels when operations require some stealth. And a hybrid electric boat also has appeal to recreational and leisure applications to decrease carbon emissions, sound and fume emissions that are commonly associated with diesel only vessels.
With advice and support from CSIRO facilitator Dave Fleming, Steber International accessed two Innovation Connections grants and partnered with Ampcontrol and the University of Newcastle to undertake research and development into a hybrid power system.
Outcome
In development for two years, a 22ft test rig equipped with a ‘marine microgrid’ hybrid power system was successfully launched in December 2020. The prototype vessel was tested on the water using its quiet electric capacity, then easily switched to the diesel generator to provide power when needed to increase the operating range.
The success of this first prototype provided Steber International and Ampcontrol with the confidence to continue to invest in the technology, and to continue their partnership. They also were awarded the 'Collaboration Partnership’ prize at the 2021 Hunter Manufacturing Awards.
In April 2023 Steber International and Ampcontrol will be launching a 43ft Beta prototype vessel utilising their hybrid power system technology. This vessel will enable potential customers from defence, government and private sectors to evaluate the boat’s performance and experience the notable technological advantages.
This project showcases the incredible work that is enabled through university, industry and government partnerships.
"The project has the potential to boost jobs in regional NSW and we encourage all levels of government to support the next phases of ongoing R&D, marketing and commercialisation."
— Alan Steber, General Manager, Steber International.
“Innovation Connections had a profound impact on our business. Marine technology was previously outside of Ampcontrol’s areas of focus, however through Innovation Connections we have been able to de-risk our R&D activities in this area and work in partnership with Stebercraft and the University of Newcastle to pave the way in developing commercially viable hybrid diesel electric power systems for marine vessels.”
— Steve Mitchell, Engineering Manager, Ampcontrol.
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