Postgraduate Diploma in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants. 8 modules covering Real Decreto 337/2014 (high-voltage installations), Real Decreto 223/2008 (high-voltage lines) and DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants — 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
Understand the grid connection requirements for hybrid plants.
Design step-up substations and their switchgear.
Carry out load flow, short-circuit and power quality studies.
Size the medium-voltage collector network.
Define the protection and control schemes of the substation.
Design overhead and underground evacuation lines.
Plan commissioning and compliance verification.
Who it's for
- Substations engineer looking to specialise in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants.
- High-voltage lines engineer looking to specialise in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants.
- Electrical studies engineer looking to specialise in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants.
- Protection engineer looking to specialise in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants.
- Electrical site manager looking to specialise in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants.
- Grid connection engineer looking to specialise in Interconnection and Substations for Hybrid Plants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the renewable energy sector.
What you'll work with
- Real Decreto 337/2014 (high-voltage installations)
- Real Decreto 223/2008 (high-voltage lines)
- IEC 61936-1 (installations above 1 kV AC)
- IEEE 80 (substation earthing)
- IEC 62271 (high-voltage switchgear)
- IEC 60076 (power transformers)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG network code)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Hybridisation at a single connection point1.2Access capacity and capacity tender1.3Hybridisation of existing installations under Spanish regulations1.4Single-line diagrams of hybrid plants1.5Installed capacity versus access capacity1.6Injection limitation at the POI1.7Revenue metering1.8Requirements of the grid operator1.9Wind-solar hybridisation case studies1.10Workshop: reading the single-line diagram of a hybrid plant
2.1Busbar configurations2.2AIS versus GIS substations2.3Power transformers and their specifications2.4IEC 60076 standards2.5High-voltage switchgear2.6Instrument transformers2.7Auxiliary services2.8Earthing grid design according to IEEE 802.9Civil works and layout2.10Practical exercise: sizing the earthing grid of a substation
3.1Load flow at the connection point3.2Short-circuit calculation according to IEC 609093.3Insulation coordination according to IEC 600713.4Harmonic studies and filters3.5Dynamic stability studies3.6Plant models for the operator3.7Model validation3.8Energisation studies3.9Technical report for the grid operator3.10Laboratory: short-circuit study in PowerFactory
4.1Radial and ring topologies4.2MV cables and their sizing4.3Losses in the collector network4.4MV switchgear and transformer substations4.5Neutral earthing4.6Collector network protection4.7Cables shared between technologies4.8Route optimisation4.9Standards applicable to the collector network4.10Practical exercise: route optimisation of a collector network
5.1Substation protection scheme5.2Transformer differential protection5.3Distance protection of the evacuation line5.4Interconnection protection5.5IEC 61850 automation5.6Hybrid plant controller (PPC)5.7Active and reactive power control at the POI5.8Remote control and communication with the operator5.9Substation cybersecurity5.10Case study: protection scheme of a hybrid substation
6.1Overhead versus underground lines6.2High-voltage line regulations (RD 223/2008)6.3Mechanical calculation of conductors6.4Safety clearances6.5Environmental impact and avifauna6.6Lines shared between developers6.7Easements and encumbrances6.8Thermal capacity and dynamic line rating6.9Line maintenance6.10Practical exercise: mechanical calculation of a 132 kV line span
7.1Factory acceptance tests7.2Substation commissioning tests7.3Protection testing7.4Operational connection notification7.5Certification of generation modules7.6Grid code compliance tests7.7As-built documentation7.8Handover to the operator7.9Non-conformity management7.10Case study: commissioning test plan
8.1Definition of the hybrid plant8.2Access and connection strategy8.3Single-line and substation design8.4Electrical studies8.5Collector network design8.6Protection and control scheme8.7Commissioning plan8.8Budget and schedule8.9Report 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 DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PLS-CADD, CDEGS, AutoCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for load flow and short-circuit studies, earthing grid design and substation commissioning tests. 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.
Understand the grid connection requirements for hybrid plants.
Design step-up substations and their switchgear.
Carry out load flow, short-circuit and power quality studies.
Size the medium-voltage collector network.
Define the protection and control schemes of the substation.
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 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 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.
You will work with DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PLS-CADD, CDEGS and AutoCAD. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own 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 can be credited towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Postgraduate Diploma in DC Architectures and Bidirectional Conversion
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in DC Architectures and Bidirectional Conversion. 8 modules covering IEC 62477-1 (safety of power electronic converters), IEC 60947-2 (circuit breakers) and PLECS.…
Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Management and Legal Framework
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Management and Legal Framework. 8 modules covering Law 24/2013 on the Electricity Sector, Royal Decree 1183/2020 (grid access and connection)…
Postgraduate Diploma in OT/IT Data Integration and Pipelines
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in OT/IT Data Integration and Pipelines. 8 modules covering IEC 62443 (industrial cybersecurity), IEC 62541 (OPC UA) and Apache Kafka. Assigned…
More in Energy and Networks
All Energy and Networks programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships