Postgraduate Diploma in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus. 8 modules covering IEC 61850-6 (SCL configuration language), IEC 61850-8-1 (MMS and GOOSE messaging) and Helinks STS. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus — studying from Canada
Canada's energy sector spans oil and gas in Alberta, hydroelectricity in Québec and Manitoba, nuclear generation in Ontario, and growing wind and solar capacity across several provinces. Transmission and distribution networks are operated by provincial utilities such as Hydro-Québec and Ontario Power Generation, alongside private operators. Grid modernisation, interconnection and energy efficiency are priority areas for engineers. Regulation is handled by provincial energy boards and the federal Canada Energy Regulator.
Fees for Canada: C$2,010 (Canadian dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Canada
Typical roles
Questions from Canada
Who licenses energy and power network engineers in Canada?
Power and energy engineers in Canada usually obtain Professional Engineer licences from provincial associations, which regulate the use of the title and require accredited education and experience. SEIUM's qualifications are private, not official state degrees and not accredited by a national body, so they do not themselves grant licensing. Employers or relevant bodies decide recognition, so verify this first.
Do Canadian utilities and energy employers value this type of training?
Canadian utilities and energy firms, including those in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec, typically prioritise licensed engineers and verifiable operational experience. A SEIUM qualification may complement your profile, and a strong final project can help demonstrate skills, but its acceptance is for each employer to decide. Ask employers what they expect before enrolling.
Can I study alongside a job, and what about funding and language?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa and plan sessions around work. Specialist courses are 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and master's 1,900. Instruction is in English, and each student has an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
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
Describe the architecture of a substation automation system.
Configure systems using SCL files.
Design GOOSE-based protection schemes.
Implement the process bus with sampled values.
Design redundant networks using PRP and HSR.
Plan testing and commissioning.
Manage the integration and lifecycle of the digital substation.
Who it's for
- Substation automation engineer looking to specialise in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus.
- Protection and control engineer looking to specialise in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus.
- IEC 61850 specialist looking to specialise in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus.
- Commissioning engineer looking to specialise in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus.
- Communication network engineer looking to specialise in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus.
- SAS systems integrator looking to specialise in SAS Architecture and IEC 61850 Process Bus.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to join transmission system operators.
What you'll work with
- IEC 61850-6 (SCL configuration language)
- IEC 61850-8-1 (MMS and GOOSE messaging)
- IEC 61850-9-2 (sampled values)
- IEC 61869-9 (digital interface for instrument transformers)
- IEC 62439-3 (PRP and HSR redundancy)
- IEC 61588 / IEEE 1588 (PTP synchronisation)
- IEC 62351 (communications security)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Evolution of substation automation1.2Station, bay and process levels1.3Structure of the IEC 61850 standard1.4Logical nodes and data model1.5ACSI services and mapping to MMS1.6Comparison with DNP3 and IEC 60870-5-1041.7IEDs and their functions1.8Editions 1, 2 and 2.1 of the standard1.9Benefits compared with conventional wiring1.10Practical case: data model of a line bay
2.1The SCL language and its files2.2SSD, SCD, ICD, IID and CID files2.3Top-down engineering process2.4System configuration tools2.5IED configuration tools2.6Configuration version management2.7Interoperability between manufacturers2.8Common errors in SCL files2.9Schema validation2.10Laboratory: editing and validating an SCD file
3.1GOOSE messages and their publication3.2Retransmission and time-to-live3.3Transfer time requirements3.4Replacing trip wiring3.5Distributed interlocking3.6GOOSE message supervision3.7Simulation and test mode3.8Routed GOOSE (R-GOOSE)3.9Diagnosing GOOSE problems3.10Practical: configuring a GOOSE interlock
4.1The process bus concept4.2Sampled values under IEC 61869-94.3Merging units and interface units4.4Non-conventional instrument transformers4.5PTP synchronisation under IEC 61850-9-34.6Bandwidth and network load4.7Protection with sampled values4.8Process bus reliability and redundancy4.9Migrating existing substations4.10Workshop: sizing the process bus network
5.1Station network architectures5.2PRP and HSR redundancy under IEC 62439-35.3Industrial switches under IEC 61850-35.4VLANs and traffic prioritisation5.5Master and transparent clocks5.6Designing station and process networks5.7Latency calculation5.8Cybersecurity under IEC 623515.9Network monitoring5.10Laboratory: configuring a PRP network
6.1FAT and SAT testing6.2IED conformity testing6.3Simulators and traffic analysers6.4Testing protection with sampled values6.5Interoperability tests6.6Response time tests6.7Test isolation and simulation mode6.8Test documentation6.9Maintenance of digital systems6.10Practical case: SAT test plan for a digital substation
7.1Integration with SCADA and the control centre7.2Gateways to IEC 60870-5-1047.3Digital asset management7.4Substation cybersecurity management7.5Firmware updates7.6IED lifecycle management7.7Training maintenance staff7.8Costs and savings of the digital substation7.9Experiences of European operators7.10Practical: technical specification of a digital substation
8.1Substation definition and scope8.2Automation system architecture8.3Data model design8.4System SCL configuration8.5GOOSE and SV messaging design8.6Communications network design8.7Testing and commissioning plan8.8Cost and risk analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Helinks STS, OMICRON StationScout, Wireshark, Siemens DIGSI 5, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied using real FAT and SAT testing procedures for digital substations, simulation of GOOSE and Sampled Values messages, and verification of SCL files. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the architecture of a substation automation system.
Configure systems using SCL files.
Design GOOSE-based protection schemes.
Implement the process bus with sampled values.
Design redundant networks using PRP and HSR.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- A level of Spanish sufficient to follow technical standards documentation.
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 consists of 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with Helinks STS, OMICRON StationScout, Wireshark, Siemens DIGSI 5. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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