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Diploma in Electrical Asset Twins and DERMs

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in electrical asset digital twins and DERMS: 8 modules covering grid assets, asset modelling with CIM (IEC 61970/61968), asset digital twins, IEC 61850 and IEEE 2030.5 communications, DERMS, operation and maintenance, and real-time simulation and validation, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Characterise grid assets and their ageing mechanisms.

02

Model assets and networks using CIM standards and simulation tools.

03

Build digital twins with health indices and remaining life.

04

Integrate IEC 61850, IEEE 2030.5 and OpenADR communications.

05

Design DERMS control and flexibility functions.

06

Plan risk-based maintenance and renewal.

07

Validate solutions through real-time simulation.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Distribution network engineers facing growing volumes of distributed generation.
  • Asset management engineers planning maintenance and renewal of grid equipment.
  • DERMS specialists implementing control and flexibility functions.
  • Substation automation engineers working with IEC 61850.
  • Energy data analysts building health indices and failure models.
  • Renewable integration engineers connecting PV, storage and EV charging to the grid.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into electricity distribution.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 61850 (communication networks and systems for power utility automation)
  • IEC 61970 (CIM) (Common Information Model for energy management systems)
  • IEC 61968 (application integration for distribution management)
  • IEEE 2030.5-2018 (smart energy profile for DER communication)
  • IEEE 1547-2018 (interconnection and interoperability of distributed energy resources)
  • IEC 62351 (security for power system communications)
  • IEC 60076-7:2018 (loading guide for mineral-oil-immersed power transformers)
  • ISO 55001:2024 (asset management systems)
  • OpenDSS
  • pandapower
  • MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical
  • OPAL-RT
  • GridLAB-D
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1Power and distribution transformers
  2. 1.2Circuit breakers and switchgear
  3. 1.3Overhead lines and underground cables
  4. 1.4Substations and their automation
  5. 1.5Distributed energy resources
  6. 1.6Photovoltaics, batteries and electric vehicles
  7. 1.7Asset ageing mechanisms
  8. 1.8Asset management according to ISO 55000
  9. 1.9Inventory and condition data
  10. 1.10Workshop: asset inventory of a distribution network
  1. 2.1The CIM data model according to IEC 61970 and IEC 61968
  2. 2.2Thermal models of transformers according to IEC 60076-7
  3. 2.3Insulation ageing
  4. 2.4Cable models and ampacity
  5. 2.5Dynamic inverter models
  6. 2.6Battery models and degradation
  7. 2.7Network models with load flow
  8. 2.8Models with pandapower and OpenDSS
  9. 2.9Validation of asset models
  10. 2.10Lab: thermal model of a transformer
  1. 3.1Architecture of an asset twin
  2. 3.2Online monitoring of transformers
  3. 3.3Dissolved gas analysis
  4. 3.4Partial discharge measurement
  5. 3.5Asset health index
  6. 3.6Anomaly detection with machine learning
  7. 3.7Remaining life and probability of failure
  8. 3.8Synchronisation with SCADA
  9. 3.9Condition visualisation
  10. 3.10Practical: health index of a transformer fleet
  1. 4.1IEC 61850 and substation data models
  2. 4.2GOOSE and Sampled Values
  3. 4.3IEC 60870-5-104 and DNP3
  4. 4.4IEEE 2030.5 for DER
  5. 4.5OpenADR for demand response
  6. 4.6SunSpec Modbus inverter protocols
  7. 4.7Cybersecurity according to IEC 62351
  8. 4.8IEEE 1547 interconnection requirements
  9. 4.9Integration of IT and OT systems
  10. 4.10Lab: IEC 61850 communication with a simulated IED
  1. 5.1Functions of a DERMS
  2. 5.2Resource aggregation and virtual power plants
  3. 5.3Voltage and reactive power control
  4. 5.4Congestion management in distribution
  5. 5.5Flexibility and local markets
  6. 5.6Demand response
  7. 5.7Integration with ADMS
  8. 5.8Forecasting distributed generation
  9. 5.9Centralised and distributed architectures
  10. 5.10Practical: volt-var control of a network with photovoltaics
  1. 6.1Condition-based asset maintenance
  2. 6.2Risk-based maintenance
  3. 6.3Asset investment planning
  4. 6.4Replacement optimisation
  5. 6.5Fault and incident management
  6. 6.6Field work and mobility
  7. 6.7Quality of service indicators
  8. 6.8Remuneration regulation for distribution companies
  9. 6.9Return on the digital twin
  10. 6.10Case study: risk-based transformer renewal plan
  1. 7.1Co-simulation of grid and communications
  2. 7.2Real-time simulation with HIL
  3. 7.3Testing DERMS functions
  4. 7.4High renewable penetration scenarios
  5. 7.5Validation with field measurements
  6. 7.6Uncertainty in asset condition
  7. 7.7Sensitivity analysis
  8. 7.8Model and version management
  9. 7.9Technical documentation of models
  10. 7.10Case study: validation of a DERMS on a rural network
  1. 8.1Selection of the network and assets
  2. 8.2Data and network model
  3. 8.3Twin of critical assets
  4. 8.4Communications integration
  5. 8.5Implementation of DERMS functions
  6. 8.6Scenario simulation
  7. 8.7Risk-based maintenance plan
  8. 8.8Benefits assessment
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
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 the intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenDSS, pandapower, MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical, OPAL-RT and GridLAB-D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for thermal and ageing modelling of transformers, IEC 61850 communications testing in substations and simulation of DERMS functions with high photovoltaic penetration. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: IEC 61850, IEC 61970 (CIM), IEC 61968, IEEE 2030.5-2018, IEEE 1547-2018, IEC 62351, IEC 60076-7:2018, ISO 55001:2024.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 61850, IEC 61970/61968 (CIM) and IEEE 2030.5 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:OpenDSS, pandapower, MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical, OPAL-RT and GridLAB-D, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:a digital twin of critical grid assets with DERMS functions and a risk-based maintenance plan for a real network, reviewed by your tutor.
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.

Network and data model
Select the network and assets and build the data and network model.
Critical asset twin
Build the digital twin of the critical assets with health indices.
Communications and DERMS
Integrate the communications and implement the DERMS functions.
Scenarios and maintenance
Simulate scenarios and draw up a risk-based maintenance plan.
Final project
Present the benefits assessment in a report and presentation, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Distribution network engineerAsset management engineerDERMS specialistSubstation automation engineerEnergy data analystRenewable integration engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • 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.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with OpenDSS, pandapower, MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical, OPAL-RT and GridLAB-D, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme 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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