Post-Blackout Recovery Strategies Course
Online 300-hour course in post-blackout recovery strategies. 6 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 (NC ER), Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 (SO GL) and PowerFactory. Dedicated tutor and open enrolment.
Post-Blackout Recovery Strategies Course — 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$1,280 (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
Understand the structure of a power system restoration plan.
Analyse the technical requirements for black start.
Simulate transient phenomena during network reconstruction.
Design restoration sequences and island synchronisation.
Organise the human response of the control centre during a crisis.
Carry out post-incident analysis with root cause identification.
Propose improvements to existing restoration plans.
Who it's for
- Control centre operator who wants to specialise in post-blackout recovery strategies.
- System security engineer who wants to specialise in post-blackout recovery strategies.
- Power systems studies engineer who wants to specialise in post-blackout recovery strategies.
- Emergency plans manager who wants to specialise in post-blackout recovery strategies.
- Hydroelectric plant engineer who wants to specialise in post-blackout recovery strategies.
- Incident analyst who wants to specialise in post-blackout recovery strategies.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to join system operators.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 (NC ER)
- Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 (SO GL)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG)
- NERC EOP-005
- IEEE 1366
- ENTSO-E ICS incident classification methodology
- Regulation (EU) 2019/941
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Blackout status under SO GL1.2Operator restoration plan1.3Bottom-up restoration strategies1.4Top-down restoration strategies1.5Support from neighbouring systems1.6Restoration priorities1.7Coordination with distributors1.8Emergency communications1.9Periodic plan review1.10Case study: analysis of the Spanish restoration plan
2.1Units with black-start capability2.2Hydroelectric plants as black start2.3Gas and diesel turbines2.4Grid-forming batteries2.5No-load line energisation2.6Switching overvoltages2.7Block load pick-up2.8Frequency control in an island2.9Black-start tests2.10Laboratory: line energisation simulation
3.1Pre-established restoration paths3.2Transformer magnetising inrush currents3.3Resonance and ferroresonance3.4Load-generation balance in islands3.5Island synchronisation3.6Ring closure and angle differences3.7Protection during restoration3.8Restoration of power plant auxiliary services3.9Restoration with high renewable penetration3.10Practice: restoration sequence on a test network
4.1Control centre functions in a crisis4.2Decision-making under pressure4.3Simulator-based training4.4Restoration drills4.5Situational awareness4.6Procedures and checklists4.7Coordination with power plants4.8Communication with authorities4.9Post-event analysis4.10Workshop: role-based restoration drill
5.1Collection of records and oscillography5.2Chronological reconstruction5.3Root cause analysis5.4ENTSO-E expert reports5.5ICS incident classification5.6Recommendations and follow-up5.7Responsibilities and compensation5.8Communication of results5.9Improvement of the restoration plan5.10Case study: lessons from the 2025 Iberian restoration
6.1Definition of the blackout scenario6.2Available black-start resources6.3Design of restoration paths6.4Sequence simulation6.5Communication and coordination plan6.6Plan improvement proposal6.7Transient analysis during energisation6.8Training and drill 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 a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PowerFactory, PSCAD, PSS/E, EMTP, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The exercises are based on real procedures for simulating no-load line energisation, designing restoration paths and running a restoration drill in a control centre. 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.
Understand the structure of a power system restoration plan.
Analyse the technical requirements for black start.
Simulate transient phenomena during network reconstruction.
Design restoration sequences and island synchronisation.
Organise the human response of the control centre during a crisis.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Spanish language level sufficient to follow technical regulatory texts.
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 an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with PowerFactory, PSCAD, PSS/E, EMTP. 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. It 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 transfer policy when you enrol.
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