ResTech, a pioneering joint venture between Ampcontrol and the University of Newcastle, marked its 20th anniversary with an Industry Open Day, inviting students, industry representatives, and the media to witness cutting-edge innovations and discuss the future of energy and technology.
This milestone celebration continues with a Hunter Nexus Gala Dinner on Thursday, 31 October 2024, where Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, delivered a keynote address.
Established in 2004 and located on the industrial-focused Callaghan Campus in New South Wales, ResTech has become a catalyst for innovation in the energy, infrastructure, and resource sectors.
ResTech’s collaborative “Living Lab” facility is designed to fast-track the development of technologies through a blend of industrial and academic expertise.
Reflecting on the impact of this partnership, Professor Alex Zelinsky, vice-chancellor of the University of Newcastle, said, “Our university has a really important role to play in the community through our partnerships with industry, and we’re proud to have been partnering with Ampcontrol for more than 20 years.”
“Ensuring our graduates have the skills and attributes that make them highly employable is an important part of the university experience.”
Founded by Ampcontrol co-founder Peter Cockbain, ResTech has grown into a powerhouse for research and development, focusing on power systems engineering, industrial electronics, and emerging technologies.
The venture supports the university’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science through undergraduate programs, postgraduate projects, and a dedicated academic chair in power engineering.
The facility’s General Manager, Chris Bird, underscored the lab’s role in advancing industry standards: “ResTech is driven to innovate through collaboration, seeking intense, solid research and development opportunities that will allow us to advance industry across different sectors.”
“From stand-alone power systems to battery electric vehicle innovations for mining, ResTech is creating solutions that keep people safer, improve efficiency, and drive decarbonisation.”
ResTech employs over 30 professionals, including 24 specialists in research and development, spanning fields from power systems and electronics to design and hardware engineering.
In recognition of its role in nurturing talent, ResTech was recently inducted into the University of Newcastle’s Work Integrated Learning Hall of Fame, an award that highlights the opportunities provided to undergraduate engineers through challenging final-year projects.
Rod Henderson, managing director and CEO of Ampcontrol, spoke to the importance of collaboration in driving innovation: “Forming joint ventures and collaborations in innovation can’t occur in isolation—it takes a network of thought-leaders and world-changers to offer expertise and resources that can revolutionise the industry.”
“Ampcontrol and the University of Newcastle are united to deliver energy solutions that will help make global net zero a reality.”
The Industry Open Day offered a showcase of ResTech’s top innovations, including the award-winning “Gilghi” off-grid water purifier, the precision herbicide applicator “EnviroBot,” a GPS Cable Tracker for large mines, and other products designed for hazardous environments and electrification in mining.
The projects highlight ResTech’s dedication to advancing practical solutions that address real-world needs, positioning the venture at the forefront of technological development in Australia.
Henderson added, “At Ampcontrol, we recognise that working with the best will help us deliver innovations that can transform the world. We’re dedicated to leading the global energy revolution but understand that this ambitious goal can’t be achieved alone. We aim to bring about disruptive innovations that reshape energy consumption and usage through collaboration, ingenuity, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.”
