Off-Grid Innovation Powers 'Rumi', a Luxury Australian Eco-Resort
Rumi, a secluded destination off the coast of South Australia, presented a unique challenge: how to provide reliable power to a remote luxury resort while supporting minimal environmental impact. Traditional off-grid solar systems could not provide the flexibility and scalability required for the resort’s expanding needs. CE+T Australia, in collaboration with PowerPlus Energy, developed an innovative solution to deliver reliable, renewable energy to the Island, making it a benchmark project for large-scale off-grid power systems.
The Challenge
Rumi Resort on Louth Island needed a power solution to meet the growing demands of its luxury accommodation, desalination plant, and resort facilities. The island’s isolation meant reliance on grid power was impossible, and the traditional approach to off-grid systems lacked the scalability and flexibility necessary for the resort’s operations. The system had to be efficient, modular, and able to handle varying loads while being easy to install and maintain.
The Solution
PowerPlus Energy engaged CE+T Australia to deliver a state-of-the-art renewable energy solution for Louth Island. Central to this solution is the PowerPlus Energy Escape20 comprised of CE+T’s Sierra 25 Multi-Converters and the Inview Monitoring and Control system. This works seamlessly with the PowerPlus Energy Escape50 managing the DC coupled PV input.
The project included 192 CE+T Sierra multi-converters, which allow for precise control of power flow across the island. These converters manage the energy generated by the solar array, batteries, and diesel backup system. The Inview monitoring system plays a crucial role in determining the best energy source at any given time, ensuring optimal performance based on solar input, battery charge, and energy demand.
The system can deliver up to 600 kilowatts of power, making it one of the largest off-grid installations in the region. The modular design of the Escape20 and Escape50 allows for future expansion, ensuring the resort can scale its energy system as its needs grow. This flexibility is a key advantage, enabling the movement of inverters, batteries, and solar capacity between power stations to balance load demands across the resort.
How It Works
The power system starts with solar panels, which harness sunlight and convert it into energy through a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT). This energy is stored in batteries supplied by PowerPlus Energy. The CE+T Sierra modules, with their three bidirectional ports, regulate the power delivered to the resort’s various systems, ensuring a steady 230V/400V output. The Inview interface acts as the decision-maker, deciding when to draw energy from solar, batteries, or in cases of poor weather events that affect solar production, the diesel backup.
This sophisticated system provides continuous power to the entire resort, including sensitive electronics and the desalination plant that supplies water for the kitchen, accommodation, and lighting. The system is modular, meaning components can be swapped or added as needed, ensuring easy maintenance and long-term reliability.
Overcoming Technical Challenges
CE+T Australia’s Ian Rowlands said the size and complexity of the Louth Island system posed significant challenges.
“CE+T’s converters needed to be spread across several cabinets rather than grouped together, which required a custom configuration of the Inview system to manage communication between the dispersed Sierra units.
“Despite these challenges, the collaboration between CE+T and PowerPlus resulted in a world-class solution that sets a new standard for sustainable off-grid power projects,” he said.
The Results: Reliable, Sustainable Power for Louth Island
Rumi has been operating on this innovative power system for nearly a year, providing a stable and reliable energy source for all its facilities. The system’s flexibility and scalability mean the resort can continue to expand its operations without compromising energy reliability or sustainability. Visitors to Rumi Resort experience luxury without ever realising the sophisticated technology working behind the scenes to keep the island powered sustainably.
This joint initiative between CE+T Australia and PowerPlus Energy showcases how cutting-edge technology can provide clean, reliable, and scalable power solutions in even the most remote locations. It sets a new benchmark for large-scale sustainable off-grid projects in Australia and beyond.
See the innovation Louth Island solution in action here :