Raw materials for generating energy and producing goods are not always extracted where they are needed, namely in the sphere of man settlement. It is likely that growing numbers of workers are required to work in remote habitats. Being in such rural conditions is a costly, complex and difficult undertaking for both, the companies and their labour force. The Smart Camp project merges several challenges that we face nowadays. It aims to address the high expenses and emissions from off-grid energy generation. Furthermore, finding a work-life balance and dealing with the concomitant everyday problems in a remote area results in human social and psychological issues. This project also aims to use digital convergence technologies and techniques in order to deal with these challenges. This paper reports the status quo of research that has been done in this area and gives and introduction to the project.

Seamlessly integrating energy saving with the habits of daily life is an ambitious goal. It becomes even a bigger challenge in a remote area, like the Western-Australian Outback. Harsh environment, high temperatures and hard working conditions demand great exertion from humans and make one's well-being an integral part of life. To bring both together -environmental sustainability and life quality -is a new interdisciplinary approach in the field of computer science. A "Smart Camp" is a new low rate wireless personal area network (LR-WPAN)-based solution, which provides accommodations in a remote mining site with a smart automation and information system to contribute to environmental sustainability and to provide amenities for its inhabitants.The Smart Camp intends to monitor and control household appliances with the aim to reduce the overall energy consumption. Additionally, multi-media components will be implemented, which aim to make the occupants life more pleasant by adding value to their habitat.