Master'sEnergy and Networks Applications open

Master’s in Power-to-X Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Power-to-X engineering, structured in 12 modules covering carbon and nitrogen sources, catalytic reactors, green ammonia, renewable methanol, synthetic fuels and e-SAF, process integration, safety, RFNBO regulation and plant economics, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h

ModeOnline

LanguageEnglish

Start datesSet by the faculty

AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Master’s in Power-to-X Engineering — 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$11,000 (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

Compare Power-to-X chains and their efficiency.

Select suitable carbon and nitrogen sources.

Design catalytic synthesis reactors.

Simulate ammonia, methanol and synthetic fuel processes.

Thermally integrate Power-to-X plants.

Apply the regulatory framework for renewable fuels of non-biological origin.

Assess the economic viability of PtX plants.

Profile

Who it's for

Power-to-X process engineers
Synthesis chemical engineers
Sustainable fuels analysts
PtX project developers
Life cycle consultants
Process safety specialists
Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the chemical industry

Standards & tools

What you'll work with

Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III)
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 (RFNBO)
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185 (RFNBO emissions savings methodology)
Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation)
Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime)
Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions)
Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III)
ISO 14040/14044 (life cycle assessment)
Aspen Plus
Aspen HYSYS
DWSIM
SimaPro
Python (Pyomo)

Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

1.1Definition of Power-to-X
1.2Power-to-Gas, Power-to-Liquid and Power-to-Heat
1.3Role in decarbonisation
1.4Value chains
1.5Conversion efficiency
1.6Comparison with direct electrification
1.7Target product markets
1.8Reference projects
1.9Scale-up challenges
1.10Case study: comparison of PtX chain efficiencies

2.1CO2 capture from industrial sources
2.2Biogenic CO2 capture
2.3Direct air capture
2.4CO2 purification
2.5CO2 transport
2.6Nitrogen separation from air
2.7Cryogenic air separation units
2.8Capture costs
2.9Carbon accounting
2.10Practical: CO2 balance of an e-methanol plant

3.1Kinetics of heterogeneous reactions
3.2Fixed-bed reactors
3.3Fluidised-bed reactors
3.4Reaction heat management
3.5Catalysts and deactivation
3.6Chemical equilibrium and conversion
3.7Reactor modelling
3.8Reactor scale-up
3.9Operating flexibility
3.10Lab: model of a synthesis reactor in Aspen Plus

4.1Conventional Haber-Bosch process
4.2Flexible synthesis with renewables
4.3Ammonia catalysts
4.4Ammonia storage
4.5Ammonia as a marine fuel
4.6Ammonia cracking
4.7Ammonia safety
4.8Fertiliser markets
4.9Green ammonia plants
4.10Case study: conceptual design of a 100 t/d plant

5.1Methanol synthesis from CO2
5.2Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts
5.3Methanol distillation
5.4Methanol as a marine fuel
5.5Conversion to olefins and aromatics
5.6Methanol to gasoline
5.7Thermal integration of synthesis
5.8Operating plants
5.9Methanol markets
5.10Practical: simulation of an e-methanol plant

6.1Low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
6.2Reverse water-gas shift reaction
6.3Hydrocracking and refining
6.4Synthetic kerosene for aviation
6.5e-SAF production
6.6Renewable synthetic diesel
6.7Synthetic methane by methanation
6.8Overall chain efficiency
6.9Technical barriers to scale-up
6.10Lab: Fischer-Tropsch product distribution

7.1Heat integration and pinch analysis
7.2Integration with electrolysis
7.3Flexible versus continuous operation
7.4Intermediate hydrogen storage
7.5Utilities and services
7.6Water balance
7.7Process control
7.8Plant optimisation
7.9Process diagrams
7.10Practical: pinch analysis of a PtX plant

8.1Chemical process hazards
8.2HAZOP of PtX plants
8.3Toxicity of ammonia and methanol
8.4Application of the Seveso Directive
8.5Integrated environmental authorisation
8.6Air emissions
8.7Effluent management
8.8Life cycle assessment
8.9Environmental impact assessment
8.10Workshop: risk analysis of an ammonia storage facility

9.1RFNBO and EU criteria
9.2ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation
9.3FuelEU Maritime Regulation
9.4Emissions trading system
9.5Fuel certification
9.6Guarantees of origin
9.7Blending mandates
9.8Voluntary fuel markets
9.9Long-term offtake contracts
9.10Practical: calculation of emissions savings for an e-fuel

10.1Investment costs
10.2Electricity and hydrogen costs
10.3Cost of CO2
10.4Levelised cost of products
10.5Scale and learning curves
10.6Project finance
10.7Market risks
10.8Public support for PtX
10.9Sensitivity analysis
10.10Case study: levelised cost of e-kerosene

11.1Siting criteria
11.2Ports and industry
11.3Availability of renewable resource
11.4Water and desalination
11.5Product export
11.6Existing industrial clusters
11.7Infrastructure shared between plants
11.8Social acceptance of chemical plants
11.9Land-use planning and industrial land
11.10Lab: multi-criteria site analysis with GIS

12.1Selection of the PtX product
12.2Energy and carbon sources
12.3Process design
12.4Integration and simulation
12.5Safety and environmental analysis
12.6Economic assessment of the plant
12.7Regulatory fit of the product
12.8Conclusions and future work
12.9Master's Thesis 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 fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, DWSIM, SimaPro and Python (Pyomo), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for synthesis process simulation, pinch analysis for thermal integration and life cycle assessment of e-fuels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 (RFNBO), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185 (RFNBO emissions savings methodology), Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation), Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime), Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions), Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III), ISO 14040/14044 (life cycle assessment).

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

Standards-based learning:guided reading of RED III and Delegated Regulations (EU) 2023/1184 and 2023/1185 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.

Industry software:Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, DWSIM, SimaPro and Python (Pyomo), in free, academic or evaluation versions.

Master's Thesis with defence:a complete PtX plant project, from product selection and energy and carbon sources to process design, integration and simulation, safety and environmental analysis, economic assessment and regulatory fit, 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.

Carbon balance and sources

Define the CO2 and nitrogen sources and the carbon balance of the plant.

Synthesis process simulation

Model the synthesis reactor and simulate an e-methanol plant in Aspen Plus.

Process integration

Carry out a pinch analysis and integrate the plant with electrolysis.

Regulation and economics

Calculate emissions savings and the levelised cost of the e-fuel.

Master's Thesis

A complete PtX plant project with process design, simulation, safety and economics, defended before a panel.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Power-to-X Process EngineerSynthesis Chemical EngineerSustainable Fuels AnalystPtX Project DeveloperLife Cycle ConsultantProcess Safety Specialist

Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
An 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.

Apply now Scholarships

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 Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, DWSIM, SimaPro and Python (Pyomo), 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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