ABB is the Energy Management Partner of Borussia Dortmund
One team. One goal. Energy that counts.
Transforming SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
ABB and Borussia Dortmund demonstrate how infrastructure that has evolved over decades can be gradually transformed into a smart, efficient, and future-ready stadium.
Modernize. Integrate. Scale.
SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is much more than just Germany’s largest soccer stadium. It is a historic building that has grown continuously since 1974 and today poses high demands in terms of operational safety, availability, and energy management.
Together, ABB and Borussia Dortmund are transforming SIGNAL IDUNA PARK into a showcase project for smart electrification, energy management, and building automation. While the stadium remains in operation, open, networked systems are being developed that provide transparency into energy flows, optimize processes, and create a solid foundation for data-driven decisions.
In doing so, ABB is also supporting BVB in the continuous development of its ISO 50001-certified energy management system. This involves systematically recording and analyzing energy consumption, deriving targeted improvement measures, and effectively supporting the club’s decarbonization goals.
What is taking shape here extends far beyond soccer. It demonstrates how existing buildings can be modernized intelligently: step by step, while operations continue, and without having to start from scratch.
KEY FACTS
81,000+ fans: Germany's largest soccer stadium
66,000 seats: for international tournaments, including the World Cup & European Championship
5 MWp solar power: the world's most powerful solar roof on a stadium
3.75 MWh battery storage planned for the end of 2026
Transforming SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
ABB and Borussia Dortmund demonstrate how infrastructure that has evolved over decades can be gradually transformed into a smart, efficient, and future-ready stadium.
Modernize. Integrate. Scale.
SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is much more than just Germany’s largest soccer stadium. Growing steadily since 1974, it now places high demands on operational safety, uptime, and energy management.
Together, ABB and Borussia Dortmund are transforming SIGNAL IDUNA PARK into a flagship project for smart electrification, energy management, and building automation. ABB is supporting the ongoing development of BVB’s ISO 50001-certified energy management system.
What is taking shape here extends far beyond soccer. It demonstrates how existing buildings can be modernized intelligently: step by step, while operations continue, and without having to start from scratch.
KEY FACTS
81,000+ fans: Germany's largest soccer stadium
66,000 seats: for international tournaments, including the World Cup
5 MWp solar power: the world's most powerful solar roof on a stadium
3.75 MWh battery storage planned for the end of 2026
The invisible heartbeat
SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is known for its unique atmosphere. What most people don’t see is that behind every match day, thousands of technical components and systems work together with precision.
From the electricity supply and building automation to the infrastructure that ensures safety, comfort, and smooth operations. They all play their part in turning a stadium into an experience.
This is the invisible side of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK: the energy. The technology. The heartbeat behind the scenes.
The invisible heartbeat
SIGNAL IDUNA PARK is known for its unique atmosphere. What most people don’t see is that behind every match day, thousands of technical components and systems work together with precision.
From the electricity supply and building automation to the infrastructure that ensures safety, comfort, and smooth operations. They all play their part in turning a stadium into an experience.
This is the invisible side of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK: the energy. The technology. The heartbeat behind the scenes.
A blueprint for the transformation of existing buildings
The challenges faced by SIGNAL IDUNA PARK are unique and yet universal.
Rising energy demands, expanding infrastructure, efficiency and operational goals, and the need for greater transparency are concerns shared by operators of stadiums, hospitals, universities, industrial facilities, and office buildings alike.
Together, ABB and Borussia Dortmund are demonstrating how existing buildings can be modernized while remaining fully operational, how systems can be intelligently interconnected, and how energy flows can be better measured and managed.
With ABB’s support, BVB is also strengthening its ISO 50001-certified energy management system, thereby advancing its decarbonization goals.
One Team. One Goal. Energy that counts.
From a historic stadium to smart infrastructure
Open design. Connected intelligently.
A future-ready platform
A blueprint for the transformation of existing buildings
The challenges faced by SIGNAL IDUNA PARK are unique and yet universal. Rising energy demands, expanding infrastructure, efficiency and operational goals, and the need for greater transparency are concerns shared by operators of many different building types.
Together, ABB and Borussia Dortmund are demonstrating how existing buildings can be modernized while remaining fully operational, how systems can be intelligently interconnected, and how energy flows can be better measured and managed. With ABB’s support, BVB is also strengthening its ISO 50001-certified energy management system, thereby advancing its decarbonization goals.
One Team. One Goal. Energy that counts.
From a historic stadium to smart infrastructure
Open design. Connected intelligently.
From the stadium to a connected BVB
ABB's impact at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
The transformation takes shape where energy is consumed, distributed, and managed within the stadium. Together with Borussia Dortmund, ABB is laying the foundation for an infrastructure that can be managed according to demand and expanded progressively.
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Measure energy. Understand consumption.
ABB energy meters with Modbus communication and current transformers track the energy consumption of the LED walls and selected VIP areas. The transparent tracking and centralized analysis of energy consumption provide the foundation for better understanding energy flows and identifying consumption peaks early on. This supports data-driven energy management.
Control lighting based on demand
In the VIP area, ABB's KNX room automation system controls lighting and selected technical functions according to individual requirements. The ceiling lighting in the window area responds to daylight. In addition, lighting and technical systems can be controlled centrally, based on a schedule or occupancy, and automatically turned off in empty rooms without compromising comfort.
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Advance infrastructure intelligently
Smart protection and metering solutions extend energy monitoring to additional sub-distribution panels and catering areas. ABB's InSite energy management system enables additional sub-metering, including in the roof sub-distribution panel area. This allows additional consumption data to be gradually integrated into the wider building management system.
System architecture with scope for expansion
The focus is on an open, scalable architecture that integrates with existing systems and can be gradually expanded to other BVB properties: from the training facility and youth academy in Brackel to the BVB FanWorld, and on to the integration of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Solutions for your application
ABB's impact at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
The transformation takes shape where energy is consumed, distributed, and managed within the stadium. Together with Borussia Dortmund, ABB is laying the foundation for an infrastructure that can be managed according to demand and expanded progressively.
Measure energy. Understand consumption.
ABB energy meters with Modbus communication and current transformers track the energy consumption of the LED walls and selected VIP areas. The transparent tracking and centralized analysis of energy consumption provide the foundation for better understanding energy flows and identifying consumption peaks early on. This supports data-driven energy management.
Control lighting based on demand
In the VIP area, ABB's KNX room automation system controls lighting and selected technical functions according to individual requirements. The ceiling lighting in the window area responds to daylight. In addition, lighting and technical systems can be controlled centrally, based on a schedule or occupancy, and automatically turned off in empty rooms without compromising comfort.
Advance infrastructure intelligently
Smart protection and metering solutions extend energy monitoring to additional sub-distribution panels and catering areas. ABB's InSite energy management system enables additional sub-metering, including in the roof sub-distribution panel area. This allows additional consumption data to be gradually integrated into the wider building management system.
System architecture with scope for expansion
The open, scalable architecture can be integrated into existing systems and gradually expanded to other BVB properties, such as the training facility in Brackel, the BVB FanWorld, or the electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The insights gained from SIGNAL IDUNA PARK demonstrate how even existing buildings and complex infrastructures can be intelligently upgraded.
Solutions for your application