Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant and Power Systems
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant and Power Systems. 8 modules covering ISO 22734 (hydrogen generators by water electrolysis), Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment) and Aspen Plus. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant and Power Systems — 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: €895 (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
Compare alkaline, PEM and solid oxide electrolysis technologies.
Size the power electronics and rectification of the electrolyser.
Apply grid connection requirements to the plant.
Design the water, gas and purification process systems.
Size thermal management and utilities.
Define the plant's control and safety systems.
Optimise operation according to electricity prices and renewable resource.
Who it's for
- Hydrogen process engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Electrical engineers in electrolysis plants who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Power electronics engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Process safety engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Control and instrumentation engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Plant operations engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the hydrogen industry.
What you'll work with
- ISO 22734 (hydrogen generators by water electrolysis)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment)
- IEC 60079-10-1 (gas zone classification)
- IEC 61511 (functional safety in process industries)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG grid code)
- ISO 14687 (hydrogen quality)
- IEC 61000-3-12 (harmonic currents)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Alkaline, PEM, AEM and solid oxide technologies1.2Components of an electrolysis stack1.3Polarisation curve and overvoltages1.4Efficiency and specific consumption kWh/kg1.5Operating pressure and its effect1.6Plant configuration and balance of plant1.7Scaling from MW to GW1.8Manufacturers and state of the technology1.9ISO 22734 standards for electrolysers1.10Case study: alkaline vs PEM comparison for 20 MW
2.1Thyristor rectifiers for electrolysis2.2IGBT rectifiers with active control2.3Multipulse rectifier transformers2.4Harmonics and power factor2.5Current ripple and its effect on the stack2.6DC-DC topologies for renewable coupling2.7Direct connection to photovoltaics2.8Efficiency of the conversion chain2.9Cooling of power electronics2.10Laboratory: simulation of a 12-pulse rectifier
3.1Substation and high-voltage connection3.2Grid codes for large loads3.3Power quality and harmonic limits3.4Reactive power compensation and filters3.5Grid flexibility services3.6Fast frequency response3.7Short-circuit studies3.8Electrical protection of the plant3.9Access contract and tariffs3.10Workshop: harmonic study of a 50 MW plant
4.1Gas-liquid separators4.2Purification: deoxo and drying4.3Electrolyte loop management4.4Pumps and water circulation4.5Heat exchangers and cooling4.6Outlet compression4.7Venting and hydrogen flare4.8Management of the oxygen by-product4.9Process instrumentation4.10Practice: mass and energy balance of the BoP
5.1Process heat and operating temperature5.2Cooling towers and air coolers5.3Waste heat recovery5.4Nitrogen for inerting5.5Instrument air5.6Demineralised water systems5.7Auxiliary loads of the BoP5.8Optimisation of parasitic consumption5.9Integration with district heating networks5.10Case study: waste heat recovery in an urban network
6.1DCS and PLC control architecture6.2Pressure, level and temperature control6.3Load ramping and dynamic operation6.4SIL safety instrumented systems6.5Hydrogen detection in air6.6ATEX zoning in the plant6.7HAZOP and LOPA analysis6.8Emergency shutdowns and purges6.9Control system cybersecurity6.10Laboratory: pressure control loop in simulation
7.1Operating strategies with variable renewables7.2Hot, cold and standby start-up7.3Part-load operation7.4Optimisation of hourly dispatch7.5Plant performance indicators7.6Maintenance of BoP equipment7.7Integration with storage and consumption7.8Levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH)7.9Reducing BoP CAPEX7.10Practice: dispatch optimisation with hourly prices
8.1Definition of capacity and technology8.2Power chain design8.3Grid connection study8.4Process and utilities design8.5Control and safety strategy8.6Estimation of consumption and performance8.7Economic analysis of LCOH8.8Execution plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Aspen Plus, MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real plant HAZOP study procedures, mass and energy balance simulation and grid connection studies. Assessment is continuous by 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.
Compare alkaline, PEM and solid oxide electrolysis technologies.
Size the power electronics and rectification of the electrolyser.
Apply grid connection requirements to the plant.
Design the water, gas and purification process systems.
Size thermal management and utilities.
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.
- Sufficient 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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses Aspen Plus, MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD and DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM diploma upon 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 credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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