Master’s in Electrolyser Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in electrolyser engineering, structured in 12 modules covering electrochemistry, alkaline, PEM, SOEC and AEM electrolysis, balance of plant, power electronics, operation and control, degradation, testing, safety to ISO 22734 and ATEX, and costs, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Electrolyser Engineering — studying from Ireland
Ireland's energy sector is undergoing significant change, with a growing share of wind power, expanding grid infrastructure and investment in interconnection and storage. The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and Gas Networks Ireland manage major transmission and distribution assets, while EirGrid operates the national electricity transmission system. Engineers work on grid planning, renewable integration, network operation and energy system modelling. Regulation is provided by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, with national targets set by government climate and energy policy.
Fees for Ireland: €9,930 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Ireland
Typical roles
Questions from Ireland
Which Irish bodies oversee energy and network engineering recognition?
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities regulates electricity and gas markets in Ireland, and EirGrid and ESB Networks operate the transmission and distribution systems. Engineers Ireland sets professional engineering standards and chartership. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers or the relevant body to determine.
Do Irish energy and utility employers consider private online engineering qualifications?
Irish utilities, grid operators and consultancies generally prioritise professional registration, relevant degrees and operational experience. A private online qualification may support your application as evidence of study, but how it is weighed is at each employer's discretion. We cannot guarantee any outcome, so ask prospective employers directly.
Can I study alongside a job, and does my employer need to fund it?
The programme is online and taught in English, so you can study from home in Ireland with no travel and no student visa required. Plan for 1,900 hours on a master's, 800 on a postgraduate diploma or 300 on a specialist course. Each student has an assigned technical tutor, fees can be paid in instalments, and employer funding is possible but not required, so it is worth raising with your employer.
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
Apply electrochemical fundamentals to the analysis of electrolysers.
Compare alkaline, PEM, SOEC and AEM technologies.
Design the balance of plant of an electrolysis installation.
Select the power electronics for supplying stacks.
Define operating strategies with variable renewables.
Assess degradation mechanisms and service life.
Apply safety and cost criteria when selecting electrolysers.
Who it's for
- Electrolysis engineers
- Hydrogen process engineers
- Power electronics engineers
- Stack test technicians
- Process safety engineers
- Hydrogen project managers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into hydrogen
What you'll work with
- ISO 22734:2019 (hydrogen generators using water electrolysis)
- IEC 62282-8-201 (energy storage systems using reversible fuel cell modules)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX)
- Directive 1999/92/EC (protection of workers in explosive atmospheres)
- Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment)
- IEC 61511 (functional safety in the process industry)
- ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (critical raw materials)
- MATLAB/Simulink
- Aspen Plus
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- Python (Pyomo)
- PLECS
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Thermodynamics of water splitting1.2Reversible and thermoneutral voltage1.3Electrode kinetics and the Butler-Volmer equation1.4Activation, ohmic and concentration overpotentials1.5Polarisation curves1.6Faradaic efficiency and losses1.7Effect of pressure and temperature1.8Catalysts and materials1.9Electrochemical characterisation techniques1.10Lab: fitting an experimental polarisation curve
2.1Operating principle2.2Potassium hydroxide electrolyte2.3Diaphragms and separators2.4Nickel electrodes2.5Atmospheric and pressurised electrolysers2.6Operating range and partial load2.7Gas purity and crossover2.8Large alkaline plants2.9Manufacturers and trends2.10Practical: balance of a 10 MW alkaline stack
3.1Proton exchange membranes3.2Iridium and platinum catalysts3.3Diffusion layers and bipolar plates3.4Operation at high current density3.5Dynamic response to variations3.6Differential pressure operation3.7Water management3.8Reducing the use of platinum group metals3.9Stack manufacturing3.10Lab: dynamic model of a PEM electrolyser in Simulink
4.1Solid oxide electrolysers4.2High-temperature operation4.3Waste heat integration4.4Co-electrolysis of steam and CO24.5Reversible SOFC/SOEC mode4.6Anion exchange membrane electrolysers4.7Materials free of noble metals4.8Comparative technology readiness4.9Technology comparison4.10Case study: thermal integration of an industrial SOEC
5.1Rectifiers and transformers5.2Water treatment5.3Gas-liquid separators and scrubbing5.4Purification: deoxidation and drying5.5Stack cooling5.6Hydrogen compression5.7Venting and flares5.8Process instrumentation5.9Control system5.10Practical: sizing the balance of plant for 20 MW
6.1Thyristor rectifiers6.2IGBT active rectifiers6.3Harmonics and power factor6.4Direct current requirements6.5Ripple and stack efficiency6.6Direct coupling to photovoltaics6.7DC-DC converters for stacks6.8Grid services from electrolysers6.9Connection regulations6.10Lab: comparison of rectifiers by efficiency and harmonics
7.1Start-up and shutdown7.2Operation with variable renewables7.3Load ramps7.4Minimum operating load7.5Standby mode and hot standby7.6Pressure and temperature control7.7Safety instrumented systems7.8Efficiency optimisation7.9Demand response7.10Practical: control strategy with a photovoltaic profile
8.1Degradation mechanisms8.2Cycling degradation8.3Water contamination8.4Accelerated ageing tests8.5Cell voltage monitoring8.6Stack maintenance8.7Stack replacement8.8Manufacturer warranties8.9Service life models8.10Case study: degradation analysis of an operating plant
9.1EU harmonised test protocols9.2Stack test benches9.3Efficiency measurement9.4Purity tests9.5Safety tests9.6Factory acceptance tests9.7Field tests9.8Key performance indicators9.9Test reports9.10Lab: efficiency test protocol for a stack
10.1Hydrogen and oxygen hazards10.2Flammable mixtures and gas crossover10.3ATEX zone classification10.4Hydrogen detection10.5Container ventilation10.6Alkaline electrolyte hazards10.7HAZOP and LOPA10.8Industrial safety regulations10.9Emergency plans10.10Workshop: HAZOP study of a PEM electrolyser
11.1Large-scale stack manufacturing11.2Electrolyser gigafactories11.3Critical materials and iridium11.4European supply chain11.5CAPEX cost breakdown11.6Learning curves11.7Operating costs11.8Manufacturer comparison11.9Supplier selection11.10Practical: comparative analysis of electrolyser bids
12.1Definition of the application12.2Technology selection12.3Stack and balance of plant design12.4Electrical integration of the plant12.5Operating strategy12.6Safety analysis12.7Economic assessment of the plant12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 MATLAB/Simulink, Aspen Plus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Python (Pyomo) and PLECS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for polarisation curve characterisation, dynamic electrolyser simulation and HAZOP risk analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 22734:2019 (hydrogen generators using water electrolysis), IEC 62282-8-201 (energy storage systems using reversible fuel cell modules), Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX), Directive 1999/92/EC (protection of workers in explosive atmospheres), Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment), IEC 61511 (functional safety in the process industry), ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality), Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (critical raw materials).
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
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.
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 MATLAB/Simulink, Aspen Plus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Python (Pyomo) and PLECS, 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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