Master'sEnergy and Networks Applications open

Master’s in Electrolyser Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in electrolyser engineering, structured in 12 modules covering electrochemistry, alkaline, PEM, SOEC and AEM electrolysis, balance of plant, power electronics, operation and control, degradation, testing, safety to ISO 22734 and ATEX, and costs, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h

ModeOnline

LanguageEnglish

Start datesSet by the faculty

AwardSEIUM Institute diploma

Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Master’s in Electrolyser Engineering — 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$19,700 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in New Zealand

Electricity Authority
Transpower New Zealand
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

Typical roles

Power Systems Engineer
Network Planning Engineer
Grid Engineer
Energy Project Engineer

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.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

Apply electrochemical fundamentals to the analysis of electrolysers.

Compare alkaline, PEM, SOEC and AEM technologies.

Design the balance of plant of an electrolysis installation.

Select the power electronics for supplying stacks.

Define operating strategies with variable renewables.

Assess degradation mechanisms and service life.

Apply safety and cost criteria when selecting electrolysers.

Profile

Who it's for

Electrolysis engineers
Hydrogen process engineers
Power electronics engineers
Stack test technicians
Process safety engineers
Hydrogen project managers
Engineering or science graduates looking to move into hydrogen

Standards & tools

What you'll work with

ISO 22734:2019 (hydrogen generators using water electrolysis)
IEC 62282-8-201 (energy storage systems using reversible fuel cell modules)
Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX)
Directive 1999/92/EC (protection of workers in explosive atmospheres)
Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment)
IEC 61511 (functional safety in the process industry)
ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality)
Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (critical raw materials)
MATLAB/Simulink
Aspen Plus
COMSOL Multiphysics
Python (Pyomo)
PLECS

Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

1.1Thermodynamics of water splitting
1.2Reversible and thermoneutral voltage
1.3Electrode kinetics and the Butler-Volmer equation
1.4Activation, ohmic and concentration overpotentials
1.5Polarisation curves
1.6Faradaic efficiency and losses
1.7Effect of pressure and temperature
1.8Catalysts and materials
1.9Electrochemical characterisation techniques
1.10Lab: fitting an experimental polarisation curve

2.1Operating principle
2.2Potassium hydroxide electrolyte
2.3Diaphragms and separators
2.4Nickel electrodes
2.5Atmospheric and pressurised electrolysers
2.6Operating range and partial load
2.7Gas purity and crossover
2.8Large alkaline plants
2.9Manufacturers and trends
2.10Practical: balance of a 10 MW alkaline stack

3.1Proton exchange membranes
3.2Iridium and platinum catalysts
3.3Diffusion layers and bipolar plates
3.4Operation at high current density
3.5Dynamic response to variations
3.6Differential pressure operation
3.7Water management
3.8Reducing the use of platinum group metals
3.9Stack manufacturing
3.10Lab: dynamic model of a PEM electrolyser in Simulink

4.1Solid oxide electrolysers
4.2High-temperature operation
4.3Waste heat integration
4.4Co-electrolysis of steam and CO2
4.5Reversible SOFC/SOEC mode
4.6Anion exchange membrane electrolysers
4.7Materials free of noble metals
4.8Comparative technology readiness
4.9Technology comparison
4.10Case study: thermal integration of an industrial SOEC

5.1Rectifiers and transformers
5.2Water treatment
5.3Gas-liquid separators and scrubbing
5.4Purification: deoxidation and drying
5.5Stack cooling
5.6Hydrogen compression
5.7Venting and flares
5.8Process instrumentation
5.9Control system
5.10Practical: sizing the balance of plant for 20 MW

6.1Thyristor rectifiers
6.2IGBT active rectifiers
6.3Harmonics and power factor
6.4Direct current requirements
6.5Ripple and stack efficiency
6.6Direct coupling to photovoltaics
6.7DC-DC converters for stacks
6.8Grid services from electrolysers
6.9Connection regulations
6.10Lab: comparison of rectifiers by efficiency and harmonics

7.1Start-up and shutdown
7.2Operation with variable renewables
7.3Load ramps
7.4Minimum operating load
7.5Standby mode and hot standby
7.6Pressure and temperature control
7.7Safety instrumented systems
7.8Efficiency optimisation
7.9Demand response
7.10Practical: control strategy with a photovoltaic profile

8.1Degradation mechanisms
8.2Cycling degradation
8.3Water contamination
8.4Accelerated ageing tests
8.5Cell voltage monitoring
8.6Stack maintenance
8.7Stack replacement
8.8Manufacturer warranties
8.9Service life models
8.10Case study: degradation analysis of an operating plant

9.1EU harmonised test protocols
9.2Stack test benches
9.3Efficiency measurement
9.4Purity tests
9.5Safety tests
9.6Factory acceptance tests
9.7Field tests
9.8Key performance indicators
9.9Test reports
9.10Lab: efficiency test protocol for a stack

10.1Hydrogen and oxygen hazards
10.2Flammable mixtures and gas crossover
10.3ATEX zone classification
10.4Hydrogen detection
10.5Container ventilation
10.6Alkaline electrolyte hazards
10.7HAZOP and LOPA
10.8Industrial safety regulations
10.9Emergency plans
10.10Workshop: HAZOP study of a PEM electrolyser

11.1Large-scale stack manufacturing
11.2Electrolyser gigafactories
11.3Critical materials and iridium
11.4European supply chain
11.5CAPEX cost breakdown
11.6Learning curves
11.7Operating costs
11.8Manufacturer comparison
11.9Supplier selection
11.10Practical: comparative analysis of electrolyser bids

12.1Definition of the application
12.2Technology selection
12.3Stack and balance of plant design
12.4Electrical integration of the plant
12.5Operating strategy
12.6Safety analysis
12.7Economic assessment of the plant
12.8Conclusions and future work
12.9Master's Thesis report
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 MATLAB/Simulink, Aspen Plus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Python (Pyomo) and PLECS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for polarisation curve characterisation, dynamic electrolyser simulation and HAZOP risk analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 22734:2019 (hydrogen generators using water electrolysis), IEC 62282-8-201 (energy storage systems using reversible fuel cell modules), Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX), Directive 1999/92/EC (protection of workers in explosive atmospheres), Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment), IEC 61511 (functional safety in the process industry), ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality), Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (critical raw materials).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.

Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 22734:2019, IEC 62282-8-201 and the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.

Industry software:MATLAB/Simulink, Aspen Plus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Python (Pyomo) and PLECS, in free, academic or evaluation versions.

Master's Thesis with defence:a complete electrolysis plant project, from technology selection and stack and balance of plant design to electrical integration, operating strategy, safety analysis and economic assessment, 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.

Electrochemical characterisation

Fit a polarisation curve and build a dynamic PEM model in Simulink.

Balance of plant design

Size the balance of plant for a 20 MW electrolysis installation.

Power supply and control

Select the rectifier and define a control strategy with a PV profile.

Safety and supplier selection

Carry out a HAZOP study and compare electrolyser bids.

Master's Thesis

A complete electrolysis plant project with design, integration, safety and economic assessment, defended before a panel.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Electrolysis EngineerHydrogen Process EngineerPower Electronics EngineerStack Test TechnicianProcess Safety EngineerHydrogen Project Manager

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 MATLAB/Simulink, Aspen Plus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Python (Pyomo) and PLECS, 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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