Diploma in Diesel-Electric Propulsion and Energy Management
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in diesel-electric propulsion and energy management. 8 modules covering propulsion architectures, generating plants, distribution, converters, power quality, energy management and hybridisation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Diesel-Electric Propulsion and Energy Management — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €1,790 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
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 diesel-electric propulsion architectures in ships.
Size generating plants and distribution systems.
Analyse power converters and propulsion motors.
Assess power quality and harmonics.
Design on-board energy management systems.
Integrate energy storage and hybrid propulsion.
Apply naval electrical and environmental regulations.
Who it's for
- Naval electrical engineers.
- Propulsion engineers.
- Chief engineers looking to deepen their knowledge of electric plants.
- Energy management engineers in the maritime sector.
- Power systems engineers moving into marine applications.
- Naval automation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter naval defence.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60092-501 (electrical installations in ships: electric propulsion plant)
- IEC 61892 (mobile and fixed offshore units: electrical installations)
- ISO 8528 (reciprocating internal combustion engine driven generating sets)
- IEEE 519 (harmonic control in electric power systems)
- IEEE 45 (electrical installations on shipboard)
- STANAG 1008 (electrical power systems in naval ships)
- MARPOL Annex VI (prevention of air pollution from ships)
- MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical
- ETAP
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- PSCAD
8 modules
1.1Mechanical versus electric propulsion1.2Diesel-electric configurations1.3CODLAG hybrid propulsion1.4Integrated electrical system1.5Operational advantages1.6Ship operating profiles1.7Redundancy and survivability1.8Examples in warships and civil vessels1.9Electrification trends1.10Case study: architecture selection for a patrol vessel
2.1Medium- and high-speed diesel engines2.2Synchronous generators2.3Generating sets according to ISO 85282.4Load sharing2.5Voltage and frequency regulation2.6Specific fuel consumption2.7Plant sizing2.8Starting and synchronisation2.9Generating set maintenance2.10Practical exercise: sizing a generating plant
3.1Main and emergency switchboards3.2AC distribution3.3DC distribution3.4Medium voltage on board3.5Protection and selectivity3.6Short circuits3.7Earthing3.8IEC 60092 standards3.9STANAG 1008 requirements3.10Lab: load flow study with ETAP
4.1Induction motors4.2Synchronous and permanent-magnet motors4.3Frequency converters4.4Multilevel topologies4.5Vector control and direct torque control4.6Azimuth thrusters4.7Fixed- and controllable-pitch propellers4.8Drivetrain efficiency4.9Equipment cooling4.10Practical exercise: simulation of a propulsion drive
5.1Harmonics and their effects5.2Limits according to IEEE 5195.3Passive and active filters5.4Transients and voltage dips5.5Power factor5.6Electromagnetic compatibility5.7Power quality measurements5.8Stability studies5.9Pulsed loads5.10Lab: harmonic analysis
6.1Power management systems6.2Optimal generator dispatch6.3Priority load management6.4Heat recovery6.5Energy efficiency at sea6.6Efficiency indicators6.7Emissions and MARPOL Annex VI6.8Alternative fuels6.9Energy monitoring6.10Case study: optimisation of generator dispatch
7.1Marine batteries7.2Supercapacitors7.3Hybrid operating modes7.4Silent running7.5Battery safety on board7.6Fuel cells on ships7.7Shore power connection in port7.8Control of hybrid systems7.9Life cycle analysis7.10Workshop: design of a hybrid battery system
8.1Definition of the vessel and operating profile8.2Proposed architecture8.3Sizing of the generating plant8.4Distribution design8.5Propulsion selection8.6Power quality study8.7Energy management strategy8.8Emissions assessment8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: 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 MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical, ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: a load flow study of a naval electrical plant, harmonic analysis of propulsion converters and optimisation of generator dispatch. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: IEC 60092-501, IEC 61892, ISO 8528, IEEE 519, IEEE 45, STANAG 1008, MARPOL Annex VI.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- 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 800 hours over 6–8 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 Simscape Electrical, ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSCAD, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme 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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