Master’s in H₂ Refuelling Infrastructure Engineering — Compression, Cooling, Dispensing and Compliance
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in H₂ refuelling infrastructure engineering — compression, cooling, dispensing and compliance. 12 modules covering station architecture, compression, cascade storage, pre-cooling, SAE J2601 dispensing, hydrogen quality, safety, control, construction, permitting and the business model, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in H₂ Refuelling Infrastructure Engineering — Compression, Cooling, Dispensing and Compliance — studying from Malta
Malta is advancing electromobility through government incentives, public transport electrification plans and the gradual expansion of charging infrastructure. The island's compact geography makes electric vehicles a practical choice, creating opportunities in charging networks, fleet management and battery servicing. Energy storage and renewable integration are also priorities as the country works to reduce its reliance on imported fuel. Engineers in this field typically work with energy providers, vehicle importers, public agencies and technology firms developing charging and storage solutions.
Fees for Malta: €5,920 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which Maltese bodies oversee electromobility and energy-related engineering?
The Chamber of Engineers (KSU) regulates the title 'engineer' in Malta. Energy policy and regulation involve the Malta Resources Authority and the Regulator for Energy and Water Services, while transport electrification is supported by Transport Malta. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so its recognition is determined by employers or the relevant body.
Which employers in Malta use skills in batteries, EV infrastructure or hydrogen?
Malta's market for electromobility is driven largely by public transport electrification, charging infrastructure, energy utilities and fleet operators, with hydrogen still at an early stage locally. Many roles connect to EU-funded projects. Employers will look for practical experience, so pair your qualification with project evidence.
How manageable is this programme alongside a job, and how is it delivered?
Programmes are fully online and taught in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. There is no need for a student visa to study from Malta. Specialist courses take around 300 hours and master's programmes 1,900, so plan your time carefully. Ask about instalment payments and whether your employer might sponsor you.
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
Design the process architecture of a refuelling station.
Size compression, storage and pre-cooling systems.
Apply the SAE J2601 refuelling protocols.
Ensure hydrogen quality in accordance with ISO 14687.
Assess risks and define safety measures for the station.
Manage permits and regulatory compliance.
Prepare the technical and economic project for a hydrogen refuelling station.
Who it's for
- Hydrogen refuelling station engineers looking to master compression, cooling and dispensing.
- Gas process engineers moving into hydrogen infrastructure.
- Process safety engineers responsible for HRS risk assessment.
- Industrial automation engineers working on station control and SIS.
- Infrastructure project managers delivering refuelling stations.
- Regulatory compliance specialists handling permits and certification.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 19880-1 (gaseous hydrogen fuelling stations)
- SAE J2601 (hydrogen fuelling protocol)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR, alternative fuels infrastructure)
- ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality)
- ISO 17268 (hydrogen refuelling connection devices)
- SAE J2799 (vehicle-to-station communication)
- IEC 61511 (functional safety, safety instrumented systems)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment)
- Aspen HYSYS
- DNV Phast
- MATLAB/Simulink
- AutoCAD Plant 3D
- H2FillS
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Station types: 350 bar, 700 bar and liquid1.2Supply by tube trailer, pipeline or on-site production1.3Process flow diagram of an HRS1.4Low-, medium- and high-pressure storage1.5Daily capacity and number of dispensers1.6Stations for passenger cars versus heavy-duty vehicles1.7Mobile and modular stations1.8Integration with electrolysers1.9Availability and reliability indicators1.10Case study: analysis of an existing HRS
2.1Diaphragm compressors2.2Reciprocating piston compressors2.3Ionic liquid compressors2.4Electrochemical hydrogen compression2.5Hydraulic boosters for 900 bar2.6Stages, intercooling and efficiency2.7Specific consumption per kilogram2.8Maintenance and diaphragm life2.9Oil contamination and leaks2.10Lab: sizing a compression train
3.1Three-level cascade banks3.2Steel and composite vessels3.3Optimisation of the cascade strategy3.4Liquid hydrogen storage at the station3.5Cryogenic pumps for 700 bar3.6Inspection and fatigue life of vessels3.7Bank pressure control3.8Usable versus nominal volume3.9Bank replenishment between refuellings3.10Practical: cascade filling simulation
4.1Heating by adiabatic compression4.285 °C limit in the tank4.3Pre-cooling classes T20, T30 and T404.4Aluminium block heat exchangers4.5Chiller units and electricity consumption4.6Thermal inertia of the heat exchanger4.7Back-to-back refuellings and recovery4.8Energy optimisation of the chiller4.9Outlet temperature control4.10Workshop: pre-cooling thermal balance
5.1SAE J2601 table-based protocol5.2MC Formula filling method5.3Vehicle-to-dispenser communication to SAE J27995.4Heavy-duty vehicle filling to SAE J2601-25.5Protocols for liquid hydrogen5.6ISO 17268 nozzles and receptacles5.7Hoses and breakaways5.8Coriolis mass flow metering5.9Metrological accuracy and OIML R1395.10Lab: J2601 refuelling simulation
6.1ISO 14687 Grade D specification6.2Contaminants critical to the fuel cell6.3Sampling to ISO 19880-96.4Laboratory analysis of impurities6.5Filtration and purification at the station6.6Moisture and oxygen control6.7Quality assurance plan6.8Management of non-conformities6.9Supply traceability6.10Practical: quarterly sampling plan
7.1HAZID and HAZOP analysis of an HRS7.2Quantitative risk analysis7.3Safety and separation distances7.4Gas and flame detection7.5Emergency shutdown systems7.6Vents and relief stacks7.7ATEX area classification7.8Protection against vehicle impact7.9Integration into existing petrol stations7.10Case study: QRA of an urban station
8.1PLC and SCADA architecture of the station8.2Pressure and temperature instrumentation8.3SIS safety logic8.4SIL levels to IEC 615118.5Remote monitoring and telemetry8.6Alarm management8.7Cybersecurity of OT systems8.8Payment and authorisation gateways8.9Data-driven predictive maintenance8.10Workshop: dispenser control logic
9.1Station siting and layout9.2Civil works and foundations9.3Electrical installations in classified areas9.4High-pressure piping and joints9.5Pressure and leak-tightness tests9.6Start-up and commissioning9.7As-built documentation and final dossier9.8Construction project management9.9Supplier coordination9.10Practical: commissioning plan
10.1AFIR Regulation and deployment targets10.2Pressure Equipment Directive10.3ATEX Directive for equipment and workplaces10.4Spanish regulations on industrial storage10.5Environmental impact assessment10.6Municipal and activity licences10.7Metrological certification of the dispenser10.8Periodic audits and inspections10.9ISO 19880-1 and related standards10.10Case study: authorisation file
11.1Capital costs by component11.2Operating and energy costs11.3Selling price and profitability11.4Utilisation and demand curve11.5Contracts with captive fleets11.6Public funding and CEF programmes11.7Operational performance indicators11.8Maintenance and contractual availability11.9Scaling a station network11.10Workshop: financial model of an HRS
12.1Demand and site study12.2Selection of the process configuration12.3Sizing of compression and storage12.4Design of pre-cooling and dispensing12.5Safety and distance analysis12.6Regulatory compliance plan12.7Economic assessment of the station12.8Construction and start-up planning12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 the intake, so it can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Aspen HYSYS, DNV Phast, MATLAB/Simulink, AutoCAD Plant 3D and H2FillS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for refuelling simulation to SAE J2601, quantitative risk analysis of stations and commissioning of 700 bar dispensers. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO 19880-1, SAE J2601, Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR), ISO 14687, ISO 17268, SAE J2799, IEC 61511, Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX).
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run 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 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 Aspen HYSYS, DNV Phast, MATLAB/Simulink, AutoCAD Plant 3D and H2FillS, 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, plus 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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