Master'sEnergy and Networks Applications open

Master’s in HVDC and Multi-Terminal Links

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in HVDC and multi-terminal links: control, VSC/LCC converters and offshore planning. 12 modules covering LCC and MMC converters, cables, link control, multi-terminal grids, DC protection, offshore wind integration, system studies, converter stations and interconnection planning, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration12–14 months

ModeOnline

LanguageEnglish

Start datesSet by the faculty

AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Master’s in HVDC and Multi-Terminal Links — 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$15,800 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Australia

Australian Energy Regulator (AER)
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Clean Energy Regulator
Energy Networks Australia

Typical roles

Power Systems Engineer
Network Planning Engineer
Grid Integration Engineer
Energy Asset Engineer

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.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

Understand HVDC transmission technologies.

Analyse LCC and VSC-MMC converters.

Select cables and link configurations.

Design the control of HVDC links.

Analyse multi-terminal HVDC grids.

Design DC protection strategies.

Plan interconnections in line with European regulation.

Profile

Who it's for

HVDC engineers looking to master MMC technology and multi-terminal grids.
Power system study engineers running EMT, stability and harmonic studies.
Converter control engineers designing VSC and grid-forming controls.
Protection engineers facing DC faults and DC circuit breakers.
Interconnection planners working on TYNDP and cross-border projects.
Commissioning engineers for converter stations and offshore links.
Engineering or science graduates seeking to work with transmission system operators.

Standards & tools

What you'll work with

Regulation (EU) 2016/1447 (network code on HVDC connection requirements)
IEC 62747 (terminology for VSC-based HVDC systems)
IEC 62501 (VSC valves for HVDC transmission: electrical testing)
CIGRE TB 619 (HVDC connection of offshore wind power plants)
IEC 60633 (HVDC transmission vocabulary)
IEC 62895 (HVDC extruded cables for land and subsea applications)
CENELEC CLC/TS 50654 (HVDC grid systems and connected converter stations: functional specifications)
PSCAD/EMTDC
DIgSILENT PowerFactory
MATLAB/Simulink
RTDS
EMTP

Syllabus

12 modules

1.1Advantages of HVDC over HVAC
1.2Economic break-even distance
1.3Point-to-point links
1.4Asynchronous back-to-back links
1.5HVDC projects worldwide
1.6HVDC links in Europe
1.7Iberian Peninsula interconnections
1.8Components of a link
1.9Market trends
1.10Case study: Bay of Biscay interconnection

2.1Thyristor valves
2.2Six-pulse and twelve-pulse bridges
2.3Firing angle control
2.4Commutation and commutation failures
2.5Reactive power consumption
2.6AC and DC filters
2.7Converter transformers
2.8Strong grid requirements
2.9Current LCC applications
2.10Lab: simulation of an LCC link

3.1VSC converter principle
3.2Modular multilevel converter
3.3Half-bridge and full-bridge submodules
3.4Capacitor voltage balancing
3.5Circulating current suppression
3.6MMC control
3.7Converter losses
3.8Black-start capability
3.9Advantages over LCC
3.10Practical exercise: averaged model of an MMC

4.1Mass-impregnated paper cables
4.2Extruded XLPE insulated cables
4.3Subsea DC cables
4.4DC overhead lines
4.5Earth and metallic return
4.6Monopolar and bipolar configurations
4.7Cable testing
4.8Subsea cable installation
4.9Thermal limits of cables
4.10Lab: cable ampacity calculation

5.1Control hierarchy
5.2Power and voltage control
5.3Frequency control
5.4Reactive power control in VSC
5.5Oscillation damping
5.6Grid-forming control
5.7Coordination with the AC grid
5.8Control and protection systems
5.9Control system testing
5.10Practical exercise: control loops of a VSC-HVDC link

6.1Multi-terminal grid concept
6.2Radial and meshed topologies
6.3Master-slave terminal control
6.4DC voltage droop control
6.5DC load flow
6.6High-voltage DC-DC converters
6.7Multi-vendor interoperability
6.8Multi-terminal projects in service
6.9European North Sea supergrids
6.10Lab: load flow in a multi-terminal grid

7.1DC faults
7.2Fast fault detection
7.3DC circuit breakers
7.4Hybrid DC circuit breakers
7.5Fault current limiters
7.6Protection strategies
7.7Selectivity in DC grids
7.8Post-fault recovery
7.9Insulation coordination
7.10Practical exercise: fault simulation in a multi-terminal grid

8.1Connection of offshore wind farms
8.2Offshore converter platforms
8.3TenneT 2 GW concept
8.4Meshed offshore grids
8.5Integration with energy hubs
8.6Wind farm and link control
8.7HVDC network code requirements
8.8Interaction studies
8.9North Sea projects
8.10Case study: connection of a 2 GW wind farm

9.1Load flow studies
9.2Transient stability studies
9.3Small-signal stability
9.4Subsynchronous torsional interactions
9.5Harmonic analysis of the link
9.6EMT transient studies
9.7Manufacturer models
9.8Model validation
9.9Study reports
9.10Lab: EMT study in PSCAD

10.1Station design
10.2Valve hall
10.3Cooling systems
10.4AC switchyard
10.5Buildings and civil works
10.6Station auxiliary systems
10.7Station maintenance
10.8Availability and reliability
10.9Commissioning tests
10.10Practical exercise: layout of a VSC station

11.1Interconnection planning
11.2TYNDP ten-year network development plan
11.3Projects of common interest
11.4HVDC network code regulation
11.5Cross-border cost allocation
11.6Project finance
11.7Environmental permitting of links
11.8Cost-benefit analysis of projects
11.9Project management
11.10Workshop: cost-benefit analysis of an interconnection

12.1Definition of the link or grid
12.2Technology selection
12.3Converter design
12.4Control system design
12.5Grid studies
12.6Protection strategy
12.7Economic evaluation of the link
12.8Conclusions and recommendations
12.9Thesis report
12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel

Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training 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 the programme is compatible with full-time work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PSCAD/EMTDC, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, MATLAB/Simulink, RTDS and EMTP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for EMT simulation of links, real-time control testing and DC fault studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2016/1447 (HVDC network code), IEC 62747, IEC 62501, CIGRE TB 619, IEC 60633, IEC 62895, CENELEC CLC/TS 50654.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.

Standards-based learning:guided reading of the HVDC network code (EU 2016/1447), IEC 62747, IEC 62501 and CENELEC CLC/TS 50654 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.

Industry software:PSCAD/EMTDC, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, MATLAB/Simulink, RTDS and EMTP, in free, academic or evaluation versions.

Master's Thesis with defence:a complete HVDC link or grid project, from technology selection and converter design to control, protection, grid studies and economic evaluation, defended before a panel.

Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.

Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Link definition and technology

Define the link or grid and choose between LCC and VSC-MMC technology.

Converter and control design

Design the converter and its control loops, including grid-forming operation.

Grid and EMT studies

Run load flow, stability and EMT studies of the link in PSCAD and PowerFactory.

Protection strategy

Simulate DC faults and define the protection and recovery strategy.

Master's Thesis

Integrate design, studies, protection and economic evaluation into a complete HVDC project, defended before a panel.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

HVDC EngineerPower System Studies EngineerConverter Control EngineerProtection EngineerInterconnection PlannerCommissioning Engineer

Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
Internet connection and a computer capable of running 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.

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FAQ

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 PSCAD/EMTDC, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, MATLAB/Simulink, RTDS and EMTP, 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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