Postgraduate Diploma in Island Operation and Black Start
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Island Operation and Black Start. 8 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 (Network Code on Emergency and Restoration), Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG Network Code) and DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.
Postgraduate Diploma in Island Operation and Black Start — 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$2,160 (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
Describe the operating modes of renewable hybrid plants with storage.
Explain the converter requirements for island operation.
Design a black start sequence with progressive energisation.
Analyse frequency and voltage stability in island operation.
Adapt protection settings to isolated operation.
Specify the automation and control of the transition.
Evaluate the regulatory and contractual requirements of the restoration service.
Who it's for
- Hybrid plant engineer looking to specialise in Island Operation and Black Start.
- Service restoration specialist looking to specialise in Island Operation and Black Start.
- Grid-forming converter control engineer looking to specialise in Island Operation and Black Start.
- Protection engineer looking to specialise in Island Operation and Black Start.
- System operation engineer looking to specialise in Island Operation and Black Start.
- Non-frequency services consultant looking to specialise in Island Operation and Black Start.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter hybrid renewable generation.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 (Network Code on Emergency and Restoration)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG Network Code)
- IEEE 2030.7-2017 (specification of microgrid controllers)
- IEEE 1547-2018 (interconnection of distributed resources)
- IEC 62898-1 (planning and specification of microgrids)
- IEEE 2800-2022 (inverter-based resources)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1PV, wind and BESS hybrid plant configurations1.2Grid-connected operation versus island operation1.3Black start capability requirements1.4Restoration service in network codes1.5Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 on emergency and restoration1.6System operator restoration plan1.7Traditional black start sources1.8Renewables as restoration providers1.9International pilot experiences1.10Workshop: analysis of a national restoration plan
2.1Limitations of grid-following control2.2Grid-forming control in hybrid plants2.3Virtual synchronous machine2.4Droop and oscillator control2.5Current limitation and overloads2.6Sizing grid-forming batteries2.7Coordination between plant inverters2.8Operation without a grid reference2.9ENTSO-E technical requirements for grid-forming2.10Laboratory: grid-forming inverter in black start
3.1Transformer energisation and inrush current3.2Temporary overvoltages and resonances3.3Energisation of lines and cables at no load3.4Ferroresonance3.5Soft start and voltage ramps3.6Block load pick-up3.7Motor and auxiliary load starting3.8Plant auxiliary services3.9Switching coordination3.10Practice: energisation study of a step-up transformer
4.1Frequency control with low inertia4.2Voltage and reactive power control in island operation4.3Small-signal stability4.4Converter interactions4.5Transient stability on load pick-up4.6Island synchronisation4.7Reconnection to the main grid4.8RMS versus EMT studies4.9Acceptance criteria4.10Laboratory: EMT simulation of island load pick-up with PSCAD
5.1Fault currents limited by inverters5.2Protection settings for island mode5.3Island detection and anti-islanding5.4Switchable setting groups5.5Transformer protection during energisation5.6Teleprotection schemes5.7Coordination with the transmission network5.8Protection testing5.9Trip analysis5.10Case study: adapting the protection of a hybrid plant for island mode
6.1Hybrid plant controller6.2Automatic black start sequences6.3Communication with the control centre6.4IEC 61850 and GOOSE in the sequence6.5SoC management for restoration6.6Renewable forecasting during restoration6.7Human-machine interfaces6.8Cybersecurity of the sequence6.9Hardware-in-the-loop testing6.10Practice: design of the start-up sequence logic
7.1Black start capability tests7.2Island operation tests7.3System operator procedures7.4Contracting the restoration service7.5Service remuneration7.6Availability requirements7.7Analysis of the 2025 Iberian blackout7.8Lessons learned from real restorations7.9Renewable-based restoration roadmap7.10Case study: black start service proposal to a TSO
8.1Characterisation of the plant and network8.2Restoration service requirements8.3Sizing grid-forming storage8.4Energisation studies8.5Island stability studies8.6Protection scheme8.7Control sequence and testing8.8Economic analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it easy to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD/EMTDC, RTDS (RSCAD), HOMER Pro, MATLAB/Simulink, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real simulation procedures for black start sequences, transformer energisation and inrush currents, and real-time network-to-island transition tests. 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.
Describe the operating modes of renewable hybrid plants with storage.
Explain the converter requirements for island operation.
Design a black start sequence with progressive energisation.
Analyse frequency and voltage stability in island operation.
Adapt protection settings to isolated operation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish 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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD/EMTDC, RTDS (RSCAD), HOMER Pro, MATLAB/Simulink. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
SEIUM's 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 recognition policy when you enrol.
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