Limondale Solar Farm SCADA & OT Network Upgrade
AZZO delivered a high-availability supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and operational technology (OT) network upgrade for RWE’s 314 MW Limondale Solar Farm in New South Wales, Australia. The project improved system reliability, operability, and scalability across two adjacent utility-scale solar assets while keeping the live site operational during deployment.
Project at a Glance
Client: RWE
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Capacity: 314 MW
Asset type: Utility-scale solar
Project: High-availability SCADA and OT network upgrade
What challenge did Limondale Solar Farm face?
Limondale Solar Farm comprises two adjacent solar assets, LIM1 and LIM2, each with its own grid connection and a shared SCADA environment.
AZZO was initially engaged to enhance SCADA network performance and reliability through network remediation work. Following an assessment of the existing platform, the project scope expanded into a full SCADA replacement to further improve performance and operability in support of the site’s long-term objectives.
The upgrade also needed to be completed on a live operational site with minimal risk or interruption.
What solution did AZZO deliver?
AZZO delivered a high-availability SCADA and OT network upgrade for LIM1 and LIM2 while maintaining distinct control domains for each asset within the shared SCADA environment.
The solution included:
Two independent hot-standby PLC systems
Redundant SCADA servers in a virtualized environment
A diverse-path fiber-optic OT network
Schneider Electric M580 PLCs
Lenovo servers
Hirschmann networking equipment
Parallel and staged implementation and integration to keep the site operational during deployment
The completed system provides a resilient, maintainable, and functional platform for long-term operations.
What were the project outcomes?
The upgrade improved power reliability and availability, simplified the user experience, reduced operational and cybersecurity risk, and provided a scalable platform for future growth.
Key outcomes included:
Improved power reliability and availability
A single, intuitive user interface
Reduced operational and cybersecurity risk
A scalable platform for future growth
Successful delivery of the solar-phase project also led RWE to select AZZO for the full SCADA and network solution for Australia’s first eight-hour battery energy storage system, a 50+ MW / 400+ MWh system located adjacent to the solar farm.