Search all WA Government Sites Print this page	WOODY ISLAND Near Esperance, on the south coast of Western Australia, is a small ecotourism development called Woody Island Eco-stays which is owned and operated by the Mackenzie family. Woody Island, a picturesque, 240 hectare nature reserve, is one of the 105 islands in the Recherché Archipelago. Eco-stays is set on 30 hectares and incorporates a variety of accommodation, a campers' kitchen and a visitor centre. Initially Eco-stays relied on a diesel generator to supply its electricity requirements and so electricity was only available for the eight hours per day that the diesel operated. Then in December 2002 the Mackenzies installed a solar energy system to provide power 24 hours per day. Mr Mackenzie has said that they are very happy with the system, and they have managed to more than halve their use of diesel fuel. When Eco-stays first opened they had a small diesel generator, but when the Mackenzies developed the next stage of the facility, they had to consider how they would supply the required electricity. With the help of the Government rebate, available through the Remote Area Power Supply Program, Mr Mackenzie decided to install the solar energy system. "We faced the option of a bigger diesel plant, wind or solar power", said Mr Mackenzie, "Solar power fits in perfectly with out philosophy - to be as sustainable as possible and preserve our unique environment." The system consists of forty eight 75W solar panels, a 12kVA inverter, and a 111kWh battery bank. They now have power 24 hours per day, and are making savings, both in fuel costs and in time and expense servicing the diesel generator. The system supplies electricity for the visitor centre and cafe, as well as for the accommodation and the campers' kitchen. The loads include lighting, fridges, freezers, water pump, urns, pie warmer, office equipment, fans, dishwasher, TV and video. Gas is used for most of the cooking and hot water is provided by a solar hot water system with an electric booster. The facility is open for people to stay from September to April and the population of the island ranges from 20 - 30 people during spring and autumn, up to a maximum of 100 people in the busiest time during summer. Nobody stays on the Island during winter, but there are day visitors and so some electricity is used to provide facilities for them. Mr Mackenzie estimates the load during summer is 65kWh per day but is reduced to 45kWh per day during spring and autumn. To date the Mackenzies have not had any problems with the system and it has been operating reliably. Mr Mackenzie says that best thing about the system is that the generator, which has an automatic cut in, works to full capacity when it is required, instead of working inefficiently at part load as it used to. And the biggest apparent change to the operation of the resort is having power 24 hours per day for fridges, freezers and lighting. Technical Solar Array 3.6kWp Inverter 12kVA Battery Bank 111kWh (C100) Existing Diesel used for Back-Up 10kVA This case study was developed by the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy at Murdoch University. Both the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Remote Area Power Supply Program are supported by the Australian Government through the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program. This program is implemented by the Sustainable Energy Development Office in Western Australia.
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