Flint Hills Resources: Leading Solar Integration in the Oil Industry

Flint Hills Resources has taken notable steps to integrating renewable energy into its oil refining operations signaling a shift in how traditional energy companies approach electricity use. Through adding on site solar generation, the company reduces its reliance on the grid while making itself more energy self-sufficient.

In Corpus Christi, Texas, Flint Hills is installing just under 57,000 solar panels across 100 acres of land which will help provide power to the Corpus Christi West Refinery. This $53 million project will generate up to 27 megawatts of power making up 28% of the refinery's power needs. In comparison, that much energy could power more than 5,100 homes for a year. In addition to creating a cleaner source of energy in oil refinery, this also lowers production and operation costs as well as improving performance.

Similarly, in Minneapolis, Flint Hills built a solar installation of about 100,000 panels supplying about 30% of the facility's electrical conditions.

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Deven's Reflections:

Flint Hills' integration of solar energy into oil production and refinery shows that renewable energy and fossil fuels do not have to exist in competition. Rather than replacing oil production, on site solar allows production facilities to reduce emissions while benefiting oil companies through a reduction in operating costs and increased efficiency. A hybrid approach recognized the reality that industries will continue to rely on oil while making progress with an increased use of renewable energy. Solar energy and other renewable sources of energy can prove to be a complement to oil infrastructure rather than a political or economic rival.