Course in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence
300 h online course in ethics of alternative fuels in defence. 6 modules covering Def Stan 91-091 (turbine aviation fuel), ASTM D7566 (aviation fuels with synthetic components) and SimaPro. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence — studying from Ireland
Ireland maintains a small defence force, the Defence Forces, which operates its own engineering corps and equipment maintenance capabilities. Defence procurement and development are handled through the Department of Defence, while much of the wider defence-related industrial activity involves dual-use technologies, electronics and communications systems supplied by domestic and international firms. Engineers in this area typically work on land vehicle maintenance, military communications, protective equipment and systems integration. Policy and procurement are governed by national and European frameworks, including EU defence initiatives.
Fees for Ireland: €546 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies oversee defence engineering and does a private qualification count?
Defence in Ireland is overseen by the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces run their own training and technical structures. Engineers Ireland sets general professional engineering standards. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not state-awarded, and they are not accredited by any national body, so recognition for any defence-related role is decided by the relevant authority or employer.
Do Irish defence and land-systems employers hire people with private online qualifications?
Irish defence-related hiring is limited and often subject to security vetting and specific qualification requirements, so employers set their own criteria. A private online qualification may be taken into account alongside experience, but we cannot say how any employer will view it or guarantee any result. Check requirements for particular roles directly.
Can I study this from Ireland while working, and what is the workload?
Yes, the programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from home without travel or a student visa. Master's programmes total 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible. Plan your weekly hours realistically around your job.
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 use of fuels in defence and their environmental footprint.
Compare alternative fuel technologies and their maturity level.
Apply life cycle analysis to alternative fuels.
Analyse the ethical dimensions of sustainability versus security of supply.
Evaluate fuel specification and compatibility requirements.
Propose governance models for their implementation.
Prepare an ethical and technical feasibility study of an alternative fuel.
Who it's for
- Fuels engineer wishing to specialise in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence.
- Life cycle analyst wishing to specialise in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence.
- Energy manager in defence wishing to specialise in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence.
- Sustainability consultant wishing to specialise in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence.
- Fuel logistics engineer wishing to specialise in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence.
- Energy researcher wishing to specialise in Ethics of Alternative Fuels in Defence.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the defence sector.
What you'll work with
- Def Stan 91-091 (turbine aviation fuel)
- ASTM D7566 (aviation fuels with synthetic components)
- ISO 14040 (life cycle assessment: principles)
- ISO 14044 (life cycle assessment: requirements)
- Reglamento (UE) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation)
- Directiva (UE) 2023/2413 (RED III)
- ICAO Annex 16, Volume IV (CORSIA)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Fuel consumption in operations1.2Single fuel F-34 and NATO fuel policy1.3JP-8 and NATO F-63 specifications1.4Fuel logistics and vulnerability1.5Carbon footprint of the armed forces1.6Climate commitments and defence1.7NATO and EU energy strategies1.8Security of supply1.9Stakeholders: industry, armed forces and regulators1.10Case study: fleet consumption analysis
2.1First- and second-generation biofuels2.2HEFA and aviation biofuels2.3ASTM D7566 and synthetic aviation fuels2.4Fischer-Tropsch fuels2.5Electrosynthetic fuels (e-fuels)2.6Hydrogen and its derivatives2.7Compatibility with engines and materials2.8Fuel testing and certification2.9Military alternative fuel programmes2.10Laboratory: comparison of fuel properties
3.1ISO 14040 and ISO 140443.2Well-to-wake emissions3.3Indirect land-use change3.4Directive (EU) 2018/2001 on renewable energy3.5ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation3.6Sustainability criteria and ISCC certification3.7Water consumption and biodiversity3.8Cost and availability3.9Uncertainty in results3.10Practical: simplified life cycle analysis
4.1Competition between food and fuels4.2Land use in producing countries4.3Rights of local communities4.4Greenwashing in defence4.5Transparency of military emissions4.6Climate justice and responsibility4.7Operational security versus sustainability4.8Risks of new dependencies4.9Critical minerals and materials4.10Workshop: ethical assessment of a biofuels project
5.1Energy transition planning5.2Sustainable public procurement5.3Collaboration with the civil industry5.4Trials on aircraft and vessel fleets5.5Staff training5.6NATO and interoperability standards5.7Funding and the European Defence Fund5.8Progress indicators5.9Public communication5.10Case study: alternative fuels roadmap for a fleet
6.1Selection of the fleet or platform6.2Consumption and emissions diagnosis6.3Fuel alternatives6.4Technical compatibility analysis6.5Life cycle analysis6.6Ethical and social assessment6.7Implementation plan6.8Monitoring indicators6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which allows them to combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SimaPro, OpenLCA, GREET (Argonne), MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real fuel life cycle analysis procedures, review of fuel compatibility tests and implementation case studies. 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 use of fuels in defence and their environmental footprint.
Compare alternative fuel technologies and their maturity level.
Apply life cycle analysis to alternative fuels.
Analyse the ethical dimensions of sustainability versus security of supply.
Evaluate fuel specification and compatibility requirements.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with SimaPro, OpenLCA, GREET (Argonne), MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the open-source alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This 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-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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