Master’s in FACTS and Power Flow Control
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in FACTS and power flow control, with 12 modules covering shunt and series compensation (SVC, STATCOM, TCSC, SSSC), combined controllers such as the UPFC, power electronics, modelling and control of FACTS, system studies, distribution solutions and grid enhancing technologies (IEEE 1031, IEEE 1052, IEC 60700-1), with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in FACTS and Power Flow Control — 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$11,700 (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
Analyse power flow control problems.
Understand shunt and series compensation devices.
Analyse combined controllers such as the UPFC.
Model FACTS devices in different simulation environments.
Design control strategies for FACTS devices.
Carry out system studies with FACTS.
Assess grid enhancing technologies.
Who it's for
- FACTS systems engineers
- Network studies engineers
- Power electronics engineers
- Power system control engineers
- Transmission network planners
- Commissioning engineers
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join transmission system operators
What you'll work with
- IEEE 1031 (guide for the functional specification of SVCs)
- IEEE 1052 (guide for the functional specification of STATCOMs)
- IEC 60700-1 (thyristor valves for HVDC power transmission)
- IEEE 2745.1 (unified power flow controller specification)
- IEC 62927 (voltage sourced converter valves for STATCOM)
- CIGRE TB 663 (guidelines for the procurement and testing of STATCOMs)
- IEEE 824 (series capacitor banks in power systems)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 (transmission system operation guideline)
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- PSCAD/EMTDC
- PSS/E
- MATLAB/Simulink
- RTDS
12 modules
1.1Power flow in meshed networks1.2Transmission capacity limits1.3Congestion and parallel flows1.4The need for power flow control1.5Conventional control methods1.6The FACTS concept1.7Classification of FACTS devices1.8Technical and economic benefits1.9International experience with FACTS1.10Case study: congestion on an interconnector
2.1Shunt reactive power compensation2.2Switchable reactors and capacitors2.3Static var compensator (SVC)2.4TCR and TSC configurations2.5Static compensator (STATCOM)2.6STATCOM with multilevel converters2.7SVC and STATCOM comparison2.8Voltage control2.9Applications in networks with renewables2.10Lab: simulation of a STATCOM
3.1Fixed series compensation3.2Thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC)3.3Static synchronous series compensator (SSSC)3.4Risk of subsynchronous resonance3.5Resonance mitigation3.6Protection of series capacitors3.7Increasing transmission capacity3.8Applications on long lines3.9Coordination with protection systems3.10Practical exercise: subsynchronous resonance study
4.1Unified power flow controller (UPFC)4.2Interline power flow controller (IPFC)4.3Mechanical phase-shifting transformers4.4Thyristor-controlled phase shifters4.5Modular power flow controllers4.6Distributed control devices4.7Device comparison4.8Technology selection4.9Reference projects4.10Lab: power flow control with a UPFC
5.1Thyristors and their applications5.2High-voltage IGBTs and IGCTs5.3Voltage source converters5.4Modular multilevel converters5.5Valves and cooling5.6Converter losses5.7Harmonics and filtering5.8Reliability and redundancy5.9Technology trends in semiconductors5.10Practical exercise: sizing a STATCOM converter
6.1Steady-state models6.2Load flow models6.3RMS dynamic models6.4Detailed EMT models6.5Generic industry models6.6Model validation6.7Simulation tools6.8Interface with network models6.9Model limitations6.10Lab: SVC model in PowerFactory
7.1Voltage control7.2Power control7.3Oscillation damping7.4Transient stability control7.5Coordinated control of multiple FACTS7.6Wide-area control7.7Use of phasor measurements7.8Controller tuning7.9Control testing7.10Practical exercise: damping inter-area oscillations
8.1Optimal power flow with FACTS8.2Optimal device placement8.3Stability studies8.4Contingency studies8.5Harmonic studies with FACTS8.6Interaction between controllers8.7Interaction with HVDC8.8Connection studies8.9Writing technical reports8.10Lab: optimal placement of a STATCOM
9.1D-STATCOM in distribution9.2Dynamic voltage restorers9.3Soft open points9.4Power flow control at medium voltage9.5Power quality improvement9.6Integration of distributed generation9.7Microgrids with power electronics9.8Distribution company case studies9.9Benefit assessment9.10Case study: soft open point at medium voltage
10.1Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs)10.2Dynamic line rating10.3Dynamic topology optimisation10.4Modular power flow controllers10.5Comparison with grid reinforcement10.6Regulation of GETs10.7European experience with GETs10.8Cost-benefit analysis of GETs10.9Rapid deployment of solutions10.10Practical exercise: dynamic rating of a line
11.1Technical specification of FACTS11.2Installation design11.3Civil works and buildings11.4Protection systems11.5Factory acceptance testing11.6Site testing11.7Commissioning11.8Operation and maintenance11.9Availability and reliability11.10Workshop: technical specification of a STATCOM
12.1Definition of the network problem12.2System modelling12.3Device selection12.4Control design12.5System studies12.6Benefit assessment12.7Economic analysis of the solution12.8Conclusions and recommendations12.9Master'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 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 DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD/EMTDC, PSS/E, MATLAB/Simulink and RTDS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for EMT simulation of FACTS devices, real-time control testing and optimal placement studies. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEEE 1031, IEEE 1052, IEC 60700-1, IEEE 2745.1, IEC 62927, CIGRE TB 663, IEEE 824, Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 on system operation.
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 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 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 DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD/EMTDC, PSS/E, MATLAB/Simulink and RTDS, 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 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.
Related programmes
Master’s in Onshore Wind Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in onshore wind engineering, structured in 12 modules covering wind resource, flow modelling and yield, turbine technology, loads to IEC…
Master’s in DC Networks and Nano/Microgrids: DC Architectures
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in DC networks and nano/microgrids, with 12 modules covering DC topologies, earthing systems, converters, bus voltage control, DC protection, DC…
Master’s in District Energy and Heating/Cooling Networks
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in district energy and heating/cooling networks, 12 modules covering heat demand, generation sources, centralised cooling, hydraulic design, piping, substations, thermal…
More in Energy and Networks
All Energy and Networks programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships