Extract

ABSTRACT: This paper is concerned with the direct planning and design implications of selecting the
energy source—aimed at limiting impacts related to the associated noise, vibrations, visual impacts,
operational or safety requirements. Other considerations include impacts from maintenance materials
and activities. Such environmental impacts can expand human-felt presence, scaring off wildlife or
making adjacent areas unhabitable for the local fauna and even for those more sensitive flora species,
thus undermining the very reason for establishing an eco-tourism facility. The extent of such impacts
depends on the system or combination of systems selected to meet resort’s energy needs. Generally,
two options are available: a grid connection, involving electricity generated elsewhere and transmission
lines, and power generation on-site. Both these options are briefly discussed, focussing on standalone
system options, which are more typical in tropical eco-resorts—as usually removed from the grid. They
can be broadly categorised as conventional and unconventional generators. A different classification
divides energy generation into groups of renewable and non-renewable sources. These two
classifications are not mutually exclusive. Advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources
are briefly presented from a tropical eco-resort design point of view. An attempt is made to draw
conclusions in form of recommendations for energy source selection in eco-resort setting.

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