A solar farm is underway at Flint Hills Corpus Christi plant. What are the benefits? – Caller Times

Solar Farm to Power Texas Oil Refinery

A solar farm currently under construction at Flint Hills Resources in Texas is set to become the first solar project in the state to provide on-site, self-generated electricity directly to an oil refinery.

DEPCOM Power, a company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is installing approximately 56,700 solar panels on 100 acres of vacant property located across from the Corpus Christi West refinery. The refinery produces various products, including jet fuel, low-sulfur gasoline, diesel, asphalt, fertilizer, and chemicals.

The solar farm is expected to be fully operational by late summer or early fall of 2025. It is estimated to cost $53 million and will generate 27 megawatts of electricity at peak capacity, which accounts for about 28% of the refinery’s total power needs.

Sustainable Development Goals

1. Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
2. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
3. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
4. Goal 13: Climate Action

How Will the Solar Farm Work?

The solar farm will generate electricity when sunlight hits the semiconductor materials in its cells, even on cloudy days. It is expected to produce around 55,000 megawatts annually, accounting for approximately 23.3% of the plant’s annual operating factor.

Flint Hills Resources aims to lower energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and reduce grid emissions through this investment in renewable energy.

Benefits of an Alternative Energy Source

Experts suggest that solar farm installations can benefit refineries and companies with high energy demands by providing an alternative energy source and reducing their carbon footprint. Texas, with its ample land space and rich energy resources, is particularly suitable for such installations.

The cost of producing wind and solar energy is expected to decrease with advanced technology and development. Solar power can satisfy the base load for 20% to 25% of the time, allowing operations to switch to conventional energy sources when renewable resources are not available.

While the initial investment for a solar farm can be significant, the availability of land and financial partners can make it a viable option for companies looking to diversify their energy sources.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
   • Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
• Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
• Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added
• Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge
• Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic, and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation, and technology transfer

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: caller.com