Master'sEnergy and Networks Applications open

Master’s in DC Networks and Nano/Microgrids: DC Architectures

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in DC networks and nano/microgrids, with 12 modules covering DC topologies, earthing systems, converters, bus voltage control, DC protection, DC architectures in buildings, industry and transport, modelling and simulation, standards and techno-economic assessment (IEC 60364-8-2, IEC 60364-4-41, IEC 61851-23), with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1,900 hours · 12–14 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Master’s in DC Networks and Nano/Microgrids: DC Architectures — studying from India

India's power sector is one of the largest in the world, combining generation, transmission and distribution with rapid growth in renewable energy. Public utilities such as NTPC and Power Grid Corporation of India operate major assets, while private firms and state distribution companies manage local networks. The Central Electricity Authority, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Power guide planning and regulation, and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency promotes efficiency standards. Engineers work on grid operations, substations, renewable integration and energy management systems across the country.

Fees for India: ₹840,000 (Indian Rupee), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in India

  • Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
  • Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
  • Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
  • Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

Typical roles

  • Power Systems Engineer
  • Grid Operations Engineer
  • Transmission Planning Engineer
  • Renewable Integration Engineer

Questions from India

Which professional bodies in India recognise energy and power network engineers?

Power engineers in India are commonly recognised through the Institution of Engineers (India), the Central Electricity Authority for technical standards, and state electricity regulatory commissions for utility work. Registration as a licensed electrical contractor or supervisor follows state rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private, not state degrees and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.

Which employers in India hire energy and networks engineers?

Employers include state and central power utilities, transmission companies such as Power Grid Corporation, renewable energy developers, and grid and automation firms. Smart grid and distribution projects also hire engineers. A private online qualification can help with specialisation, but employers mostly assess field experience, utility knowledge and project delivery.

Is this programme manageable with a job in India, and does it need a visa?

The programme is 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from India with no student visa. Plan around IST when scheduling. Specialist courses are about 300 hours, diplomas about 800 and master's about 1,900. You get an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments. Many energy employers fund professional training, so ask your manager about sponsorship.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse the advantages of direct current architectures.

02

Design DC network topologies.

03

Select DC earthing systems.

04

Select converters for DC networks.

05

Design bus voltage control.

06

Design protection against DC faults.

07

Assess the techno-economic viability of DC architectures.

Profile

Who it's for

  • DC architecture engineers
  • Power electronics engineers
  • Protection engineers
  • Electrical installation designers
  • Network R&D engineers
  • Electrical efficiency consultants
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the building sector
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 60364-8-2 (low-voltage electrical installations – prosumer installations)
  • IEC 60364-4-41 (protection against electric shock)
  • IEC 61851-23 (DC electric vehicle charging stations)
  • IEC 60947-2 (low-voltage circuit breakers)
  • IEC 62040-5-3 (DC uninterruptible power systems)
  • IEC TS 63236 (guidance on DC power distribution in buildings)
  • Current/OS Specification (open DC microgrid standard)
  • IEEE 2030.10 (DC microgrids for rural and remote electricity access)
  • PLECS
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • LTspice
  • Typhoon HIL
  • PSCAD/EMTDC
Syllabus

12 modules

  1. 1.1The resurgence of direct current
  2. 1.2Native DC loads
  3. 1.3Photovoltaic generation and batteries in DC
  4. 1.4Efficiency advantages over AC
  5. 1.5Standardised DC voltage levels
  6. 1.6Technical and regulatory barriers
  7. 1.7Industry initiatives: Current/OS and ODCA
  8. 1.8Use cases in buildings and industry
  9. 1.9Comparison of conversion losses
  10. 1.10Case study: conversion balance in a commercial building
  1. 2.1Single-bus radial networks
  2. 2.2Ring and meshed networks
  3. 2.3Unipolar and bipolar architectures
  4. 2.4Networks with two voltage levels
  5. 2.5380 V bus architectures
  6. 2.648 V extra-low-voltage networks
  7. 2.7Hybrid AC/DC integration
  8. 2.8Topology selection by application
  9. 2.9Architecture scalability
  10. 2.10Lab: comparison of topologies in simulation
  1. 3.1IT, TN and TT systems in DC
  2. 3.2Midpoint earthing
  3. 3.3Leakage currents and corrosion
  4. 3.4Insulation fault detection
  5. 3.5Safety of persons in DC
  6. 3.6Physiological effects of direct current
  7. 3.7IEC 60364 requirements for DC
  8. 3.8Compatibility with existing equipment
  9. 3.9Selection of the earthing system
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: earthing system for a 380 V network
  1. 4.1AC/DC interface converters
  2. 4.2Bidirectional DC/DC converters
  3. 4.3Solid-state transformer converters
  4. 4.4End-device converters
  5. 4.5Isolated and non-isolated converters
  6. 4.6Efficiency and power density
  7. 4.7Wide-bandgap semiconductors
  8. 4.8Converter modelling
  9. 4.9Reliability of power electronics
  10. 4.10Lab: bidirectional DC/DC converter
  1. 5.1Bus voltage control
  2. 5.2Droop control in DC
  3. 5.3DC bus signalling
  4. 5.4Hierarchical control in DC networks
  5. 5.5Power sharing between sources
  6. 5.6Stability with constant power loads
  7. 5.7Active damping techniques
  8. 5.8Distributed and consensus control
  9. 5.9Operating mode management
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: voltage droop in a three-source network
  1. 6.1Challenges of arc extinction in DC
  2. 6.2Fault currents in DC networks
  3. 6.3DC fuses
  4. 6.4Mechanical DC circuit breakers
  5. 6.5Solid-state circuit breakers
  6. 6.6Hybrid DC circuit breakers
  7. 6.7Series arc detection
  8. 6.8Protection selectivity
  9. 6.9Protection coordination
  10. 6.10Lab: fault simulation on a DC bus
  1. 7.1DC distribution in offices
  2. 7.2DC-powered LED lighting
  3. 7.3Power over Ethernet as distribution
  4. 7.4DC-powered HVAC
  5. 7.5DC electric vehicle charging
  6. 7.6Integration of photovoltaics and batteries
  7. 7.7Regulations for DC installations
  8. 7.8DC building projects
  9. 7.9Savings assessment
  10. 7.10Case study: office floor at 380 V
  1. 8.1DC networks in factories
  2. 8.2Common DC bus for drives
  3. 8.3Braking energy recovery
  4. 8.4380 V data centres
  5. 8.5Railway traction networks
  6. 8.6Ships with DC distribution
  7. 8.7More-electric aircraft
  8. 8.8DC photovoltaic plants
  9. 8.9Comparison of experiences
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: shared DC bus on a robotic line
  1. 9.1Averaged converter models
  2. 9.2Detailed switching models
  3. 9.3Small-signal stability analysis
  4. 9.4Middlebrook's impedance criterion
  5. 9.5Simulation in PLECS
  6. 9.6Simulation in MATLAB/Simulink
  7. 9.7Real-time HIL simulation
  8. 9.8Experimental model validation
  9. 9.9Sensitivity analysis
  10. 9.10Lab: impedance analysis of a DC network
  1. 10.1IEC 60364-8-2 standard
  2. 10.2Work of the IEC SyC LVDC
  3. 10.3IEC 61851-23 charging standard
  4. 10.4IEC 60947-2 circuit breaker standard
  5. 10.5IEC 62040 power supply standard
  6. 10.6Current/OS alliance specification
  7. 10.7Electromagnetic compatibility requirements
  8. 10.8CE marking of DC equipment
  9. 10.9Existing regulatory gaps
  10. 10.10Workshop: regulatory matrix for a DC installation
  1. 11.1DC equipment costs
  2. 11.2Savings from fewer conversions
  3. 11.3Energy loss calculation
  4. 11.4Copper reduction
  5. 11.5Life cycle assessment
  6. 11.6Reliability compared with AC
  7. 11.7Market barriers
  8. 11.8Business cases
  9. 11.9Adoption roadmap
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: AC versus DC economic comparison
  1. 12.1Selection of the application
  2. 12.2Definition of requirements
  3. 12.3DC architecture design
  4. 12.4Converter selection
  5. 12.5Control design
  6. 12.6Protection design
  7. 12.7Simulation and validation
  8. 12.8Techno-economic assessment of the proposal
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, Typhoon HIL and PSCAD/EMTDC, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for DC fault simulation, impedance-based stability analysis and HIL validation of control. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC 60364-8-2, IEC 60364-4-41, IEC 61851-23, IEC 60947-2, IEC 62040-5-3, IEC TS 63236, Current/OS Specification, IEEE 2030.10.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 60364-8-2, IEC 60364-4-41 and IEC 61851-23 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, Typhoon HIL and PSCAD/EMTDC, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:Design of a complete DC architecture for a real application, including converters, control, protection, simulation and techno-economic assessment, defended before a panel.
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.

Topology and earthing
Compare DC topologies and define the earthing system for a 380 V network.
Converter design
Simulate a bidirectional DC/DC converter.
Bus control
Design voltage droop control for a three-source network and analyse impedance stability.
DC protection
Simulate faults on a DC bus and coordinate protection.
Master's Thesis
Design a complete DC architecture for a real application, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

DC architecture engineerPower electronics engineerProtection engineerElectrical installation designerNetwork R&D engineerElectrical efficiency consultant
Admissions & scholarships

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.

FAQ

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 PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, LTspice, Typhoon HIL and PSCAD/EMTDC, 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 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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