Course on Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses
The Course on Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses explores comprehensive strategies to minimise energy losses in electrical systems. It addresses the analysis of technical losses, such as those generated in transformers, transmission lines and energy meters, optimising their efficiency. It also focuses on reducing non-technical losses, including energy theft, fraud management and billing optimisation. It concentrates on implementing technologies and methodologies for the early detection and mitigation of losses, improving profitability and sustainability in the energy sector.
The course offers practical tools for data analysis, real-time monitoring and the use of AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) technology. It focuses on developing skills in energy auditing, smart grid management (smart grids) and compliance with regulatory standards. Participants will learn to design and implement personalised strategies for loss reduction, preparing them for key roles in energy planning, demand management and revenue protection.
Course on Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand's energy sector is distinctive for its high share of renewable generation, drawn from hydroelectric, geothermal and wind resources. Transpower operates the national grid, while distribution networks are run by regional lines companies, and the Electricity Authority regulates the wholesale and retail markets. Energy engineers are employed across generation, transmission, distribution and retail, with demand growing as the country works towards its renewable electricity goals.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,470 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What professional recognition applies to energy and network engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which is widely used in the energy sector. The Electricity Authority oversees the electricity market, and the Electricity Engineers' Association is an industry body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
Who employs energy and network engineers in New Zealand?
Major employers include electricity lines companies, generators, transmission operators, gas network businesses and consultancies. Roles often value registration, field experience and knowledge of New Zealand's grid and regulation. A private qualification may support your CV, but it does not guarantee employment or a particular career outcome.
Can I study from New Zealand with a full-time job, and does an employer need to fund it?
Yes. The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand without a student visa. You will have an assigned technical tutor and complete a final project. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's programmes 1,900. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
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
Classify energy losses in networks and quantify their economic impact.
Calculate technical losses in lines and transformers through simulation.
Propose technical measures to reduce losses using economic criteria.
Detect non-technical losses through balances and consumption analytics.
Plan inspection campaigns in line with the legal and social framework.
Define indicators for monitoring losses.
Prepare a comprehensive loss reduction plan for a distribution area.
Who it's for
- Loss control engineer who wants to specialise in Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses.
- Electricity fraud analyst who wants to specialise in Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses.
- Distribution planning engineer who wants to specialise in Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses.
- Supply inspection manager who wants to specialise in Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses.
- Network efficiency consultant who wants to specialise in Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses.
- Data scientist in distribution who wants to specialise in Reduction of Technical and Non-Technical Losses.
- Graduates in engineering or science who want to enter electricity distribution.
What you'll work with
- Real Decreto 1955/2000 (transport and distribution activities)
- CNMC Circular 6/2019 (distribution remuneration)
- Regulation (EU) 548/2014 (ecodesign of transformers)
- IEC 60076-1 (power transformers)
- Real Decreto 1110/2007 (metering points)
- Spanish Criminal Code, art. 255 (electricity fraud)
- IEC 62056 (metering data exchange)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Technical losses and their physical origin1.2Non-technical losses and their causes1.3Energy balance by voltage levels1.4Energy measured at the boundary and billed1.5Loss indicators1.6Regulatory incentives for reduction1.7International benchmarking of distribution companies1.8Economic impact of losses1.9Available data sources1.10Case study: balance of a distribution area
2.1Joule losses in lines2.2Iron and copper losses in transformers2.3Loss factor and load factor2.4Phase imbalance2.5Additional losses from harmonics2.6Corona effect at high voltage2.7Simulation with load flows2.8Estimation using AMI data2.9Losses in service connections and meters2.10Laboratory: calculation of losses with OpenDSS
3.1Network reconfiguration3.2Reactive energy compensation3.3Phase balancing3.4Low-loss transformers3.5Increasing conductor cross-section3.6Raising distribution voltage3.7Voltage management3.8Location of distributed generation3.9Economic evaluation of measures3.10Practice: prioritising measures by cost-benefit
4.1Typologies of electricity fraud4.2Meter tampering4.3Direct network connections4.4Consumption analytics for inspection4.5Balances by transformer substation4.6Machine learning models for fraud4.7Prioritising inspections4.8Anti-fraud alarms in meters4.9Effectiveness indicators4.10Workshop: fraud risk scoring model
5.1Inspection planning5.2Field operating protocols5.3Records and chain of evidence5.4Re-billing of defrauded energy5.5Legal framework for fraud5.6Social aspects and vulnerability5.7Regularisation of informal settlements5.8Communication and deterrence5.9Safety of inspection personnel5.10Case study: loss reduction campaign in a city
6.1Selection of the study area6.2Baseline energy balance6.3Calculation of technical losses6.4Diagnosis of non-technical losses6.5Portfolio of proposed measures6.6Economic evaluation of the plan6.7Implementation plan6.8Monitoring indicators6.9Report and presentation6.10Final 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. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is OpenDSS, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, CYME, Python (scikit-learn), QGIS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: energy balances by transformer substation, calculation of technical losses through simulation, and prioritisation of inspections through analytics. 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.
Classify energy losses in networks and quantify their economic impact.
Calculate technical losses in lines and transformers through simulation.
Propose technical measures to reduce losses using economic criteria.
Detect non-technical losses through balances and consumption analytics.
Plan inspection campaigns in line with the legal and social framework.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
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 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with OpenDSS, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, CYME, Python (scikit-learn), QGIS. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A 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 are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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