BioStar Completes 15-MW Solar to Supply Electricity to Seaboard's Renewable Diesel Plant in Kansas
Developers have built a 15-MW solar array to help power and further decarbonize a nearby renewable diesel production plant in Kansas.
BioStar Renewables has partnered with off-taker Seaboard Energy to develop and construct the behind-the-meter solar array for producing renewable electricity for the latter’s renewable diesel plant in Hugoton. The solar array is located at the Seaboard plant 2.5 miles west of Hugoton city-center and includes more than 27,000 solar panels.
The project is expected to produce more than 30 million kWh of electricity each year, reducing the reliance on the local utility and removing some 21,000 metric tons of annual CO2 equivalent emissions, according to the companies.
BioStar handling engineering, procurement, and construction services for the project to support Seaboard Energy's commitment to clean energy.
Seaboard completed and began operating its renewable diesel production plant in Hugoton in late 2022. The Kansas facility was designed to produce up to 85 million gallons of renewable diesel per year and was developed at the site of a former Abengoa ethanol plant.
Some renewable fuels producers are co-locating solar power to accelerate decarbonization goals for the facilities. Phillips 66 has signed a deal for NextEra Energy Resources to build a 30-MW solar farm to help power the refiners’ Rodeo renewable diesel plant in northern California.
Renewable diesel utilizes food, animal and plant oils to create fuel. It has the same energy density profile of refined fossil diesel, but lowers the emissions compared with traditional diesel.
