Lady Elliot Island eco-resort's transition to 100 percent renewable energy

This report presents an industry case study of the Lady Elliot Island eco-resort’s transition to 100 percent renewable energy. The transition started in 2007 and has proceeded over a period of over a decade during which the main drivers of energy demand and supply have changed significantly. The eco-resort has become steadily busier, electrical loads have changed, the island’s renewable energy infrastructure has been extended and improved, and a number of energy and power management initiatives have been implemented.

The eco-resort’s daily energy demand and supply characteristics are settling down and detailed power supply and demand monitoring data are available. The eco-resort is now providing a more stable platform for follow-on research into various aspects of the island’s renewable energy system, but this report focuses on the story of how the eco-resort team overcame barriers to change, the problems encountered in operating renewable energy infrastructure in a remote and harsh environment, and the ways in which the eco-resort has improved its power and energy management practices to assist the transition.

This report is published as part of the GIFT Research Report Series because it provides important insights and knowledge on tourism sustainability that will be of great use to other tourism stakeholders, both researchers and practitioners.