{"id":139262,"date":"2026-05-20T06:06:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T05:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/?p=139262"},"modified":"2026-05-21T09:50:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T08:50:06","slug":"how-sleipners-new-hybrid-power-centre-is-quietly-revolutionising-life-at-anchor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/gear\/how-sleipners-new-hybrid-power-centre-is-quietly-revolutionising-life-at-anchor-139262","title":{"rendered":"How Sleipner\u2019s new Hybrid Power Centre is quietly revolutionising life at anchor"},"content":"The irony of running a large motor yacht is that even though it\u2019s propelled by a pair of big diesel engines, you still need at least one more to generate electrical power for all its ancillary systems. Not only does this mean running three or even four diesel engines under way, but the constant noise and fumes of the generators at anchor can take the edge off that perfect unspoilt bay you\u2019ve spent so long getting to.\r\n\r\nNow, thanks to a new off-the-shelf solution from Norwegian marine technology company Sleipner, that problem could soon be a thing of the past.\r\n\r\nCalled the Sleipner HPC (Hybrid Power Centre) system, it comprises a pair of 48V DC \u2018super-generators\u2019 that run off the main engines\u2019 PTOs (Power Take-Offs), a battery bank to store the power they generate, a Smart Power Controller to manage it and an intuitive User Interface to control it all.\r\n\r\nWhile the idea behind this isn\u2019t new, it\u2019s the first time a single manufacturer has developed a complete integrated system that can take care of everything from the boat\u2019s thrusters and stabilisers to its power generation and management systems. With the sole exception of the battery bank, which the customer can source and specify to suit their needs, it\u2019s all made by Sleipner, promising a seamless user experience and an easier installation process.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_139265\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" The HPC system can draw power from both the batteries and PTO generators then divert it to where it is needed most[\/caption]\r\n

Generation game<\/h2>\r\nThe heart of the system are the two 48V PTO generators. These are designed to fit onto the standard power take-offs of all major marine diesel engines, with a torque band of 25-120Nm. Sharing much of their internal structure with Sleipner\u2019s electric thruster motors, they use the excess torque developed by the engines to generate electricity.\r\n\r\nSuch is their efficiency that even with the engines ticking over at idle, each one can generate up to 5kW. At cruising speed that rises to 25kW or 50kW across both engines \u2013 enough to charge a powerful 100kWh lithium battery pack in just two hours.\r\n\r\nGenerating this much power does create a certain amount of unwanted heat so a built-in water cooling system keeps it operating at the correct temperature while an integrated inverter and controller ensures a steady supply of power that can either drive 48V equipment directly or recharge the batteries.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_139268\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" The new HPC \u2018super generators\u2019 slot onto the engines\u2019 power take-offs and can send power directly to 48V systems, like stabiliser fins, or the battery[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the first yards to offer it as a factory fit option is Turkish builder Numarine. Marketed by Numarine as the \u2018Mk2 Super Silent Pack\u2019, it enables its latest 88ft explorer yacht, the 27XP, to offer a full night at anchor in complete silence with the air-conditioning and stabilisers running but without the need to run a generator.\r\n\r\nThe benefits are just as worthwhile during the day, when guests can eat in the cockpit or swim around the boat without the sound and smell of a diesel generator spoiling their enjoyment.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_139264\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" All the systems in green are supplied by Sleipner but the battery pack can be sourced by the customer to match the boat\u2019s requirements[\/caption]\r\n

Smart thinking<\/h2>\r\nTo make this possible, Numarine has fitted the boat with a high capacity 92.8kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) battery bank linked to Sleipner\u2019s Hybrid Power Centre and a full suite of Sleipner dynamic aids, including 48V DC bow and stern thrusters as well as electrical curved fin stabilisers.\r\n\r\nThis maximises the efficiency gains as it allows the PTO generators to power them all directly and means the boat can be run without the extra weight and complexity of hydraulics. On the hard top, 5.6kWp of solar panels provide an additional boost to the batteries, extending the time it can spend at anchor in silent mode.\r\n\r\nMost boats will still need a conventional generator to avoid the need for running the main engines at anchor if you do ever run low on power, but it should significantly reduce the running hours, fuel consumption and servicing schedules to the benefit of guests and crew. It may also enable the fitment of smaller, lighter generators and improve the weight distribution by relocating the batteries further forward.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_139267\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" The HPC Smart Controller is linked to a series of modular switches so it can temporarily shut off non-essential items when power is needed elsewhere[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAnother key function is the system\u2019s ability to prioritise power where it\u2019s needed most. For instance, if you\u2019ve depleted the battery reserves overnight but still need to use the thrusters to manoeuvre out of a tight spot in the morning, it will temporarily shut off power to less essential equipment, such as the water heater or stabilisers. This is all managed automatically through the intelligent HPC Controller and a series of modular smart switches that can be added to at a later date, future proofing it against further modifications.\r\n

Verdict<\/h2>\r\nThe advent of new technologies such as joystick control, station keeping and zero-speed stabilisers means the demand for both power on board is only getting bigger and yet the pressure to reduce unwanted noise, emissions and fuel consumption is growing just as fast.\r\n\r\nFor boats in the 60-90ft size bracket, which might previously have opted for hydraulic thrusters and stabilisers and always-on diesel generators, the new Sleipner HPC system offers a genuine alternative.\r\n\r\nBy replacing the hydraulics with 48V electrics and the diesel gensets with PTO super-chargers and a battery bank, owners can enjoy all the benefits of a fully stabilised, easy to manoeuvre boat and plentiful power on tap without many of the usual drawbacks. Numarine may be the first yard to adopt the new HPC system but it certainly won\u2019t be the last once Sleipner officially launches it this autumn.\r\n\r\n
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The irony of running a large motor yacht is that even though it\u2019s propelled by a pair of big diesel engines, you still need at least one more to generate electrical power for all its ancillary systems. Not only does this mean running three or even four diesel engines under way, but the constant noise […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":405,"featured_media":139266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[300],"tags":[2538,1593],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":[""],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139262"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/405"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139262"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139270,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139262\/revisions\/139270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139262"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=139262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}