Home-grown diesel-electric hybrid boat hits stage-three trials
Work on an Australian-made hybrid boat is slowly gaining momentumAustralia’s first diesel-electric hybrid boat drivetrain has taken a step closer with one of the project’s backers, Steber International, announcing it will soon enter stage three of testing.
The stage three process will link the diesel engine with the electric motor for the first time, and will involve sea trials pulling on a bollard to test performance at various revs.
Steber, which has provided the 22-foot fibreglass hull, underwater engineering and trailer transport, is one of three groups working together to the new technology – the other participants include industrial electronics specialists Ampcontrol, and the University of Newcastle.
Steber general manager Alan Steber said the stage two sea trials of the electric part of the system – stage one involved bench tests – ended well.
“There was no vibration, extremely good torque and a top speed of 40km/h,” Steber said.
“The hybrid vessel will be ideal for use patrolling harbours and inland waterways running on the electric motor, with sustained power for extended bluewater use coming from the diesel engine”, he said.
All-day running
The trials showed the boat was capable of running “all day” at 8km/h on one bank of batteries, with a second battery bank providing power for short bursts of speed when needed.
The battery bank can be fully recharged overnight.
The project has received funding from the Federal Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to develop the hybrid drivetrain.
Steber said its research engineer, Steve Hunt, designed special mounting brackets for the electric motor as well as shafting components, while underwater engineering and rudder design was critical to minimise drag and maximise efficiency.
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