- ABB selected by ContourGlobal to upgrade control systems at four Concentrated Solar Power plants in southwest Spain
- Migration to ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus SCADA will improve efficiency, reliability and cyber security while future-proofing assets
- Project demonstrates ABB’s expertise in legacy system migration to supporting renewable energy integration
ABB has been selected by independent power producer ContourGlobal to replace the solar field control system at four Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) facilities in southwest Spain, enabling the secure and efficient integration of renewable power into national electricity grids to support European energy transition efforts.
The existing systems, which have been in operation for more than 10 years, will be migrated to ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus SCADA, based on ABB’s AC500 and AC 800M platforms. These will provide each CSP plant with a scalable, high-performance control solution that ensures long-term system availability and enhanced cyber security.
Solar tracking algorithms within ABB’s system calculate the sun’s position every 480 milliseconds with an accuracy of 0.0001 degrees. This enables the continuous positioning of 7,400 mirrors at the facilities to maximize efficiency, while correcting for drift, terrain tilt and variable weather conditions.
ABB’s solution offers a robust and flexible approach to modernizing ContourGlobal‘s CSP assets. The ability to integrate seamlessly with existing third-party controls and allow phased replacement minimizes disruption and ensures continued operational efficiency and reliability.
Aerial image of ContourGlobal's CSP facility in Majadas, Spain. Courtesy of ContourGlobal. 
ContourGlobal's CSP facility in Majadas. Courtesy of ContourGlobal. 
Concentrated Solar Power mirrors. Courtesy of ContourGlobal.
CSP has been identified as a significant contributor to the transformation of the European energy system by providing dispatchable electricity, which can complement the integration of variable output renewables into the grid1. The EU funds CSP research projects to identify more efficient cycles and components, as well as contributing to financing first-of-a-kind plants2.
While photovoltaic solar panels generate electricity directly, CSP plants use fields of mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver point. The concentrated heat warms a fluid, which is then used to produce steam and drive a turbine. This process can allow CSP plants to store energy and generate electricity when the sun is not shining.
“Modernizing automation assets is just as important as installing new ones if we are to achieve a secure and sustainable energy system to meet growing demand,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division. “By applying our expertise in automation, electrification and digitalization, we are enabling operators like ContourGlobal extend the life and efficiency of their facilities and deliver reliable renewable power to the grid.”
ABB’s scope at each of the four CSP plants includes a fully integrated control and data management architecture, incorporating Symphony® Plus SCADA, S+ Historian functionality, AC 800M control cabinets and AC500 local solar field controllers. Advanced cyber security measures, such as automated backups, certified patching and antivirus management, will reinforce system integrity and compliance.
The ContourGlobal facilities are located in Majadas, approximately 210 km from Madrid; in Orellana, approximately 300 km from Madrid; and in Palma del Río, around 90 km from Seville, where both Solar Fields 1 and 2 will be upgraded. The migration is scheduled for completion by February 2027.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. go.abb/processautomation
1 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/document/download/3acfa717-b321-4f7d-b8c3-765f507d7de2_en
2 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/energy/solar-energy_en
