Fuel Cells Course for Heavy-Duty Mobility
Online 300-hour course in fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility. 6 modules covering UN Regulation No. 134 (UN R134), UN Regulation No. 100 (UN R100) and MATLAB/Simulink. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Fuel Cells Course for Heavy-Duty Mobility — 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$887 (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
Explain the electrochemical principles of PEM fuel cells.
Size fuel cell systems and battery hybridisation for heavy-duty vehicles.
Analyse degradation mechanisms and their effect on service life.
Design on-board energy management strategies.
Compare fuel cells with other zero-emission technologies.
Apply type approval and safety regulations for hydrogen vehicles.
Evaluate the total cost of ownership of fuel cell fleets.
Who it's for
- Fuel cell systems engineer who wants to specialise in fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility.
- Powertrain engineer who wants to specialise in fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility.
- Validation and testing technician who wants to specialise in fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility.
- Zero-emission fleet manager who wants to specialise in fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility.
- Vehicle integration engineer who wants to specialise in fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility.
- Sustainable mobility consultant who wants to specialise in fuel cells for heavy-duty mobility.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the automotive and commercial vehicle sector.
What you'll work with
- UN Regulation No. 134 (UN R134)
- UN Regulation No. 100 (UN R100)
- IEC 62282-2-100
- SAE J2579
- ISO 14687
- ISO 23273
- Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 on CO₂ emissions of heavy-duty vehicles
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Oxidation and reduction reactions in the cell1.2Polarisation curve and activation losses1.3Ohmic and mass transport losses1.4Nafion membranes and proton conductivity1.5Platinum catalysts and carbon supports1.6Gas diffusion layers and bipolar plates1.7Water management and humidification1.8Performance and efficiency as a function of load1.9High-temperature fuel cells and SOFCs in transport1.10Workshop: fitting an experimental polarisation curve
2.1Stack architecture and balance of plant2.2Air compressors and hydrogen recirculation2.3Cooling circuit and thermal management2.4DC/DC converters and high-voltage bus2.5Hybridisation with traction batteries2.6Power sizing for 40 t trucks2.7On-board storage at 350, 700 bar and liquid2.8Cold start and low-temperature operation2.9Sensors and fuel cell system control2.10Laboratory: modelling a fuel cell system in Simulink
3.1Membrane degradation mechanisms3.2Catalyst dissolution and agglomeration3.3Support corrosion during start-up and shutdown3.4CO and H₂S contamination in the fuel3.5Dynamic load cycles and stack stress3.6Durability targets for heavy-duty vehicles3.7Accelerated ageing tests3.8Control strategies to extend service life3.9Diagnostics by impedance spectroscopy3.10Practice: estimating service life with driving profiles
4.1Long-haul trucks and logistics4.2Urban and intercity buses4.3Hydrogen trains on non-electrified lines4.4Ships and marine propulsion with fuel cells4.5Mining and port machinery4.6Comparison with batteries and H₂ combustion engines4.7Total cost of ownership per kilometre4.8Refuelling infrastructure for fleets4.9Real-world deployment cases in Europe4.10Case study: TCO of a truck fleet
5.1Type approval of hydrogen vehicles under UN R1345.2Vehicle electrical safety under UN R1005.3On-board leak detection and ventilation5.4High-voltage system integration5.5Crash tests and storage systems5.6Test standards for fuel cell performance5.7Safety in maintenance workshops5.8Training for emergency services5.9European framework for zero-emission fleets5.10Case study: risk analysis of a fuel cell bus
6.1Defining the vehicle mission6.2Power and energy profile of the driving cycle6.3Sizing the stack and battery6.4Selecting hydrogen storage6.5Energy management strategy6.6Consumption and range estimation6.7TCO analysis against alternatives6.8Validation and test plan6.9Report 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 timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, AVL CRUISE M, COMSOL Multiphysics, Autonomie, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies cover real procedures for sizing a fuel cell powertrain for a 40 t truck, bench testing of a polarisation curve, and total cost of ownership analysis of a fleet. Assessment is continuous per 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.
Explain the electrochemical principles of PEM fuel cells.
Size fuel cell systems and battery hybridisation for heavy-duty vehicles.
Analyse degradation mechanisms and their effect on service life.
Design on-board energy management strategies.
Compare fuel cells with other zero-emission technologies.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of 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 consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
You work with MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, AVL CRUISE M, COMSOL Multiphysics, Autonomie. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official title from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher-level programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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