Master’s in Energy Communities and Collective Self-Consumption
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in energy communities and collective self-consumption, 12 modules covering the legal framework, collective self-consumption under Royal Decree 244/2019, PV generation, demand management, storage and flexibility, digital tools, financing and governance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Energy Communities and Collective Self-Consumption — studying from Australia
Australia's energy sector is undergoing major transition, with significant growth in renewable generation, grid-scale storage and transmission upgrades. The National Electricity Market and the Wholesale Electricity Market in Western Australia are key frameworks shaping investment and operations. Engineers work on network planning, power system analysis, asset management and integration of distributed energy resources. Employers include network operators, generators, retailers, the Australian Energy Market Operator and engineering consultancies.
Fees for Australia: A$12,600 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Which Australian bodies and regulators cover energy and networks engineering?
Engineers Australia is the main professional body, and the Australian Energy Regulator and the Australian Energy Market Operator oversee the national electricity market. State network regulators also apply. SEIUM's private qualifications are not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is decided by employers or the regulator.
What energy and network careers in Australia could this training support?
Australia has electricity network operators, renewable energy developers, grid planners and utilities that employ engineers in these fields. Employers usually prioritise accredited qualifications, licensing and project experience. A SEIUM qualification may add to your profile, but its value depends on each employer.
Is the course workable with a job, and does employer funding exist?
Yes, the programmes are online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa. Specialist courses are 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's 1,900, with an assigned technical tutor and final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, though it is arranged case by case.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the concept and legal framework of energy communities.
Design collective self-consumption installations.
Calculate energy allocation coefficients.
Integrate storage and flexibility services.
Develop sustainable economic models.
Organise participatory and governance processes.
Set up and manage energy communities.
Who it's for
- Energy community managers.
- Self-consumption technicians.
- Community energy facilitators.
- Local energy transition consultants.
- PV installation engineers.
- Energy poverty advisors.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to work with energy cooperatives.
What you'll work with
- Royal Decree 244/2019 (Spanish self-consumption regulation)
- Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II) (renewable energy)
- Directive (EU) 2019/944 (internal electricity market)
- Royal Decree-Law 23/2020 (energy measures for economic recovery)
- Order TED/1247/2021 (self-consumption allocation coefficients)
- ITC-BT-40 (low-voltage generating installations)
- Royal Decree 1183/2020 (grid access and connection)
- PVsyst
- PVGIS
- SAM (System Advisor Model)
- Python
- HOMER Pro
12 modules
1.1The energy community concept1.2Renewable energy communities1.3Citizen energy communities1.4Citizen participation in energy1.5Social and environmental benefits1.6Leading European experiences1.7The situation in Spain1.8IDAE grants1.9Barriers to community development1.10Case study: energy community in a rural municipality
2.1The Renewable Energy Directive2.2The Electricity Market Directive2.3Transposition into Spanish law2.4Possible legal forms2.5Statutes and governance2.6Proximity and effective control2.7Responsibilities of members2.8Contracts between members2.9Taxation of the community2.10Workshop: statutes of an energy cooperative
3.1Royal Decree 244/20193.2Self-consumption modalities3.3Collective self-consumption in buildings3.4Allocation coefficients3.5Dynamic allocation coefficients3.6Surplus compensation3.7Self-consumption through the grid3.8Permitted distances to generation3.9Procedures with the distribution company3.10Practical: calculating allocation coefficients
4.1Solar resource assessment4.2Inventory of available rooftops4.3Ground-mounted installations4.4PV pergolas in public spaces4.5Installation design4.6Production simulation4.7Inverters and monitoring4.8Architectural integration of panels4.9Installation maintenance4.10Lab: design of a shared installation
5.1Consumption profiles5.2Smart meter data5.3Consumption simultaneity5.4Self-consumption ratio5.5Load shifting5.6Demand management5.7Heat pumps and EVs5.8Energy efficiency measures5.9Tackling energy poverty5.10Practical: analysis of consumption profiles
6.1Community batteries6.2Individual home batteries6.3Energy management systems6.4Local flexibility markets6.5Flexibility markets6.6Aggregation of distributed resources6.7Grid services6.8Bidirectional electric vehicles6.9Storage economics6.10Lab: sizing a community battery
7.1Shared electric mobility7.2Community heating networks7.3Efficiency in homes7.4Energy advice services7.5Supplying the community's own energy7.6Biogas and biomass7.7Community wind projects7.8Demand aggregation7.9Social services and vulnerability7.10Case study: services of an urban community
8.1Management platforms8.2Production monitoring8.3Energy allocation8.4Member apps8.5Blockchain and P2P trading8.6Digital twins of the community8.7Data and privacy8.8Platform interoperability8.9Tool selection8.10Practical: monitoring platform
9.1Investment costs9.2Revenues and savings9.3Financing models9.4Crowdfunding9.5Grants and public calls9.6Loans and bank financing9.7Profit sharing9.8Sensitivity analysis9.9Long-term economic sustainability9.10Lab: financial model of a community
10.1Participatory design methodologies10.2Member recruitment10.3Communication plan with residents10.4Decision-making10.5Conflict management10.6Social inclusion of vulnerable households10.7The role of local councils10.8Partnerships with local organisations10.9Social impact assessment10.10Workshop: citizen participation plan
11.1Project phases11.2Administrative permitting of the project11.3Hiring installers11.4Site execution11.5Legalisation of the installation11.6Operating the community11.7Maintenance of installations11.8Success indicators11.9Scaling and replication11.10Practical: implementation schedule
12.1Defining the scope12.2Demand and resource analysis12.3Technical design of the installation12.4Design of the legal model12.5Design of the economic model12.6Participation plan12.7Implementation plan12.8Impact assessment12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PVsyst, PVGIS, SAM (System Advisor Model), Python and HOMER Pro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures for analysing members' load curves, simulating energy allocation and monitoring installations in operation. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Royal Decree 244/2019, Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II), Directive (EU) 2019/944, Royal Decree-Law 23/2020, Order TED/1247/2021, ITC-BT-40, Royal Decree 1183/2020.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PVsyst, PVGIS, SAM (System Advisor Model), Python and HOMER Pro, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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