Seville, Spain – December 2025 – Iberdrola, one of Europe’s largest utility companies, has achieved 99.99% communication uptime in its 500MW Andalusian Solar+Storage Complex after deploying the ABB CI858K01 3BSE018135R1 communication module. The modules enable redundant data transfer between solar inverters, battery storage systems, and the grid control center—critical for maintaining power stability in Spain’s growing renewable energy fleet.
The Challenge: Unreliable Communication in Remote Renewable Assets
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Iberdrola’s Andalusian complex, which combines 400MW of solar panels and 100MW of battery storage, faced two critical challenges:
- Single Point of Failure: Legacy communication modules lacked redundancy, meaning a single module failure could disconnect 50MW of solar capacity from the grid. In 2024, 3 such failures caused 12 hours of lost generation, costing €60,000.
- Remote Location Maintenance: The complex is located 150km from the nearest technical support center, so module failures required 4-hour response times—extending downtime.
- Variable Environmental Conditions: Extreme temperature swings (-10°C at night to +70°C during the day) and dust storms caused frequent module overheating and corrosion.
“Solar+storage plants are only as reliable as their communication systems,” said Carlos Ruiz, Iberdrola’s Renewable Energy Operations Manager. “We needed a redundant, rugged module that could withstand our harsh desert environment and minimize maintenance visits.”
ABB CI858K01: Redundant Communication for Critical Energy Infrastructure
Iberdrola selected the ABB CI858K01 3BSE018135R1 for its redundant design, wide temperature range, and remote monitoring capabilities:
- Dual Redundancy: The module supports both hardware and communication redundancy. If a primary module fails, a backup unit takes over in <50ms—ensuring no data loss or grid disconnection. It also features redundant power inputs (19-30VDC) to prevent voltage-related failures .
- Extreme Weather Resilience: With an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and IP65-rated protection (when used with a baseplate), the CI858K01 withstands dust storms, high humidity, and temperature spikes . Its corrosion-resistant aluminum housing prevents damage from salt-laden air in the Andalusian region.
- Remote Diagnostics: Integrated into ABB’s Ability™ platform, the CI858K01 sends real-time alerts for module temperature, voltage, and communication status. Technicians can troubleshoot 80% of issues remotely, eliminating unnecessary site visits .
- Grid-Compliant Data Transfer: The module’s 100Mbps Ethernet ports ensure fast, stable communication between inverters, batteries, and the grid control center—complying with Spain’s RD 1699/2011 grid codes for renewable energy integration.
Results: Maximum Uptime and Grid Stability
One year after deployment, the Andalusian Solar+Storage Complex has achieved:
- 99.99% Communication Uptime: Redundant modules eliminated all communication-related grid disconnections. Only 1 module failure occurred in 2025, and the backup unit took over seamlessly—resulting in 0 minutes of lost generation.
- Maintenance Costs Cut by 70%: Remote diagnostics reduced site visits from 12 to 3 annually, saving €45,000 in travel and labor costs.
- Grid Compliance Improved: The module’s stable data transfer ensured 100% compliance with grid codes, avoiding €20,000 in potential fines.
- Energy Production Increased by 3%: By minimizing downtime and optimizing inverter-battery synchronization, the complex generated an extra 15GWh of electricity in 2025—worth €1.2 million in grid sales.
“The CI858K01 has set a new standard for reliability in our renewable assets,” Ruiz said. “We no longer worry about communication failures disrupting our operations. It’s a low-cost investment that delivers huge returns in uptime and grid compliance.”
Elena Garcia, ABB’s Global Renewable Energy Solutions Lead, highlighted the module’s role in the energy transition. “As utilities scale up renewables, they need communication systems that are as reliable as fossil fuel plants,” she said. “The CI858K01’s redundancy and rugged design make it the perfect fit for solar+storage, where every kilowatt-hour counts.”
Iberdrola plans to install the CI858K01 in 8 more solar+storage plants across Spain and Portugal by 2027, aiming to achieve 99.99% communication uptime across its entire renewable fleet.
