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Master'sEnergy and Networks Applications open

Master’s in Utility-Scale BESS Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in utility-scale BESS engineering, structured in 12 modules covering battery technologies, system architecture, sizing, fire safety to IEC 62933-5-2 and UL 9540A, energy management, revenue models, permitting, commissioning and finance, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Compare large-scale storage technologies.

02

Design the architecture and layout of BESS plants.

03

Size systems taking degradation and augmentation into account.

04

Apply fire safety standards.

05

Develop operating and dispatch strategies.

06

Model stacked revenues in electricity markets.

07

Plan the permitting and construction of storage projects.

Profile

Who it's for

  • BESS project engineers
  • Energy storage market analysts
  • Battery safety engineers
  • Storage asset managers
  • Commissioning engineers
  • Technical due diligence consultants
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to move into energy storage
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 62933-5-2 (safety of grid-connected BESS)
  • UL 9540A (test method for thermal runaway fire propagation)
  • UL 9540 (energy storage systems)
  • NFPA 855 (installation of stationary energy storage systems)
  • IEC 62619 (safety of industrial lithium batteries)
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (batteries and waste batteries)
  • Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG)
  • Royal Decree 1183/2020 (grid access and connection)
  • PVsyst
  • HOMER Pro
  • Python (Pyomo)
  • PLEXOS
  • MATLAB/Simulink
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1The need for storage in the power system
  2. 1.2Technologies: pumped hydro, batteries, compressed air and thermal
  3. 1.3Global utility-scale BESS market
  4. 1.4Durations from 1 to 8 hours
  5. 1.5Storage in energy planning
  6. 1.6PNIEC targets for storage
  7. 1.7Spain's Energy Storage Strategy
  8. 1.8Reference projects
  9. 1.9Supply chain challenges
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of a 200 MW BESS project
  1. 2.1LFP versus NMC chemistry
  2. 2.2Prismatic and cylindrical cells
  3. 2.3Sodium batteries
  4. 2.4Vanadium flow batteries
  5. 2.5Efficiency and depth of discharge
  6. 2.6Cycling and calendar degradation
  7. 2.7Effect of temperature
  8. 2.8Cell testing
  9. 2.9Technology trends in batteries
  10. 2.10Lab: degradation model of an LFP cell
  1. 3.1Cells, modules, racks and containers
  2. 3.2Battery management systems (BMS)
  3. 3.3Power conversion systems (PCS)
  4. 3.4AC and DC coupling
  5. 3.5MV transformers and switchgear
  6. 3.6EMS control system
  7. 3.7Container HVAC
  8. 3.8Plant auxiliary systems
  9. 3.9Plant layout design
  10. 3.10Practical: layout of a 100 MW/400 MWh BESS plant
  1. 4.1Energy and power sizing
  2. 4.2Oversizing for degradation
  3. 4.3Augmentation strategies
  4. 4.4Medium-voltage network design
  5. 4.5Evacuation substation
  6. 4.6Short circuit and protection
  7. 4.7Earthing
  8. 4.8Electrical auxiliary services
  9. 4.9Grid code compliance
  10. 4.10Lab: sizing with augmentation over 20 years
  1. 5.1Cell thermal runaway
  2. 5.2Propagation between cells and modules
  3. 5.3Gas detection
  4. 5.4Suppression systems
  5. 5.5Venting and deflagration
  6. 5.6UL 9540A testing
  7. 5.7Separation distances
  8. 5.8Emergency response plans
  9. 5.9Lessons from incidents
  10. 5.10Practical: fire risk analysis of a BESS container
  1. 6.1Plant EMS functions
  2. 6.2Charge and discharge strategies
  3. 6.3State-of-charge management
  4. 6.4Plant power control
  5. 6.5Fast frequency response
  6. 6.6Grid-forming control in BESS
  7. 6.7Coordination with renewable plants
  8. 6.8Communications with the system operator
  9. 6.9EMS cybersecurity
  10. 6.10Lab: BESS dispatch algorithm in Python
  1. 7.1Day-ahead market arbitrage
  2. 7.2Participation in the intraday market
  3. 7.3Balancing services
  4. 7.4Capacity markets
  5. 7.5Tolling agreements
  6. 7.6Capacity agreements with renewables
  7. 7.7Stacked revenues from multiple services
  8. 7.8Cannibalisation risk
  9. 7.9Revenue forecasting
  10. 7.10Case study: stacked revenue model for the Iberian market
  1. 8.1Hybridisation with photovoltaics
  2. 8.2Solar energy shifting
  3. 8.3Curtailment reduction
  4. 8.4Connection point limitation
  5. 8.5Hybridisation with wind
  6. 8.6Access requirements for hybrid plants
  7. 8.7Coordinated control of hybrid plants
  8. 8.8Profitability compared with stand-alone
  9. 8.9Permitting of hybridisation projects
  10. 8.10Practical: simulation of a PV plant with storage
  1. 9.1Administrative authorisation for storage
  2. 9.2Grid access and connection
  3. 9.3Environmental assessment of the project
  4. 9.4Municipal building permits
  5. 9.5Regulation of stand-alone storage
  6. 9.6Tolls and charges
  7. 9.7Market participation
  8. 9.8Industrial safety regulations
  9. 9.9Public grants and funding
  10. 9.10Workshop: permitting schedule for a stand-alone BESS
  1. 10.1Detailed engineering
  2. 10.2Equipment procurement
  3. 10.3EPC and supply contracts
  4. 10.4Civil works and installation
  5. 10.5Factory acceptance tests
  6. 10.6Commissioning
  7. 10.7Performance tests
  8. 10.8Grid compliance certification
  9. 10.9Handover to operations
  10. 10.10Case study: commissioning plan for a BESS
  1. 11.1Operation and maintenance contracts
  2. 11.2Performance guarantees
  3. 11.3Availability indicators
  4. 11.4Degradation monitoring
  5. 11.5Repowering and end of life
  6. 11.6Battery recycling
  7. 11.7Project financial model
  8. 11.8Technical due diligence
  9. 11.9Insurance for storage plants
  10. 11.10Practical: 15-year financial model of a BESS
  1. 12.1Project definition
  2. 12.2Technology selection
  3. 12.3Plant design
  4. 12.4Safety analysis
  5. 12.5Operating strategy
  6. 12.6Revenue and financial model
  7. 12.7Permitting plan
  8. 12.8Conclusions and future work
  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. 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 PVsyst, HOMER Pro, Python (Pyomo), PLEXOS and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for sizing storage plants, revenue models in electricity markets and fire risk analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC 62933-5-2 (safety of grid-connected BESS), UL 9540A (test method for thermal runaway fire propagation), UL 9540 (energy storage systems), NFPA 855 (installation of stationary energy storage systems), IEC 62619 (safety of industrial lithium batteries), Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (batteries and waste batteries), Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG), Royal Decree 1183/2020 (grid access and connection).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 62933-5-2, UL 9540A, UL 9540 and NFPA 855 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:PVsyst, HOMER Pro, Python (Pyomo), PLEXOS and MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:a complete utility-scale BESS project, from technology selection and plant design to safety analysis, revenue model and permitting plan, 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.

Plant layout design
Lay out a 100 MW/400 MWh BESS plant, from containers to auxiliary systems.
Sizing with augmentation
Size the system over 20 years, accounting for degradation and augmentation.
Fire risk analysis
Analyse the fire risks of a BESS container against UL 9540A and NFPA 855.
Revenue and financial model
Build a stacked revenue model for the Iberian market and a 15-year financial model.
Master's Thesis
A complete utility-scale BESS project with design, safety, operation, revenue and permitting plan, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

BESS Project EngineerEnergy Storage Market AnalystBattery Safety EngineerStorage Asset ManagerCommissioning EngineerTechnical Due Diligence 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.

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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 PVsyst, HOMER Pro, Python (Pyomo), PLEXOS and MATLAB/Simulink, 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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