Power Quality Engineering and Active Filters: Harmonics, Flicker and Standards
The Power Quality Engineering and Active Filters programme gives you a solid, applicable foundation across industrial, commercial, utility and renewable-energy settings (harmonics, flicker, voltage sags, unbalance, passive and active filtering, compensation devices, monitoring and compliance). The training combines power system analysis, modelling and simulation, real-time control implementation and measurement per IEC 61000-4-30, linking diagnosis, mitigation design and verification so you can make faster decisions and demonstrate compliance with grid and equipment standards.
The approach combines technical rigour with business criteria to deliver efficient, safe and scalable solutions: from the power quality audit and harmonic study to filter sizing, commissioning tests and compliance reporting. On completion, you will be able to lead end-to-end power quality projects, design and tune shunt active power filters, hybrid filters and related compensators, use advanced tools (MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, DSP/FPGA platforms) and coordinate multidisciplinary teams in demanding environments.
Target keywords (used naturally in the text): power quality, active power filter, harmonics, flicker, IEEE 519, EN 50160, IEC 61000-4-30, THD, shunt active filter, STATCOM, power quality monitoring, grid compliance.
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
Measuring and diagnosing power quality disturbances in real installations.
Harmonic analysis, resonance studies and compliance with IEEE 519 and IEC 61000-3.
Flicker, voltage dips and unbalance: assessment and mitigation strategies.
Design of passive, detuned and multipulse filtering solutions.
Design and control of shunt active power filters and hybrid filters.
Real-time implementation: PLLs, DSP/FPGA control and power hardware-in-the-loop.
Compensation devices and grid integration: STATCOM, DVR, UPQC and inverter-based resources.
Power quality management: monitoring, data analytics and compliance reporting.
Who it's for
- Electrical, power and energy engineers working in industrial plants, utilities, infrastructure or consultancies who need to diagnose and solve power quality problems.
- Energy managers, maintenance and facility supervisors responsible for reliability, losses and equipment lifetime in installations with drives, UPS systems, data centres or EV charging.
- Power electronics, control and embedded engineers who want to specialise in the design and implementation of active filters and grid-connected converters.
- Consultants, auditors and entrepreneurs who wish to offer power quality audits, monitoring services or compensation solutions to utilities and industrial customers.
What you'll work with
- Standards-driven curriculum: you will work with IEC 61000-4-30, IEC 61000-4-7, IEC 61000-4-15, IEEE 519, EN 50160 and IEEE 1459 from the first module.
- Accreditation-ready laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025 practices) with Class A power analysers, non-linear load benches, active filter prototypes and PHIL/HIL setups.
- Evidence-oriented final project: power quality audit, filter design report, compliance dossier and commissioning plan.
- Industry mentoring: lecturers with experience in power electronics, utility power quality, industrial drives and renewable grid integration.
- Flexible format (hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
- Ethics and safety: electrical safety, data integrity, cybersecurity of monitoring systems and compliance as core pillars.
10 modules
1.1Power quality phenomena: harmonics, interharmonics, flicker, sags, swells, transients and unbalance1.2Standards landscape: EN 50160, IEC 61000 series, IEEE 519, IEEE 1159 and grid codes1.3Point of common coupling, short-circuit ratio and network impedance: why they set the limits1.4Compatibility and immunity levels: IEC 61000-2-2 and equipment susceptibility curves (CBEMA/ITIC)1.5Power definitions under distortion: IEEE 1459, apparent, reactive and distortion power1.6Disturbance sources: rectifiers, variable speed drives, arc furnaces, LED lighting and EV chargers1.7Economic impact: losses, derating, nuisance tripping, downtime and cost of poor power quality1.8Roles of utility and customer: emission limits, contracts and responsibility sharing1.9Safety and measurement practice: CAT ratings, earthing, current transducers and IEC 610101.10Case study: classification of disturbances in a mixed industrial and commercial installation
2.1Fourier series, DFT/FFT, windowing and spectral leakage in non-stationary signals2.2IEC 61000-4-7: harmonic and interharmonic measurement, grouping and subgrouping2.3Distortion indices: THD, TDD, individual harmonic limits and weighted indicators (K-factor)2.4Harmonic sources modelling: six-pulse converters, diode bridges, PWM drives and SMPS2.5Triplen harmonics, neutral currents and sequence components in three-phase four-wire systems2.6Network modelling for harmonics: frequency-dependent impedance of lines, cables and transformers2.7Parallel and series resonance with capacitor banks: detection and avoidance2.8Harmonic load-flow and frequency-scan studies in PowerFactory and ETAP2.9Compliance assessment: IEEE 519, IEC 61000-3-2, IEC 61000-3-12 and IEC TR 61000-3-62.10Case study: harmonic study of a plant with drives and power factor correction bank
3.1Voltage fluctuation physics: load variations, short-circuit power and voltage drop3.2IEC 61000-4-15 flickermeter: signal chain, Pst, Plt and perceptibility curves3.3Flicker emission limits: IEC 61000-3-3, IEC 61000-3-11 and IEC TR 61000-3-73.4Arc furnaces, welders and wind turbines as flicker sources: modelling and estimation3.5Voltage dips and short interruptions: IEC 61000-4-11, magnitude, duration and phase-angle jump3.6Sag characterisation, equipment ride-through and SEMI F47 / IEC 61000-4-34 immunity3.7Voltage unbalance: sequence components, IEC 61000-4-30 indicators and effects on motors3.8Transients and overvoltages: capacitor switching, surge protection and IEC 61000-4-4/-53.9Mitigation options: stiffening the network, SVC/STATCOM, DVR and UPS selection3.10Case study: flicker and sag investigation in a steel or manufacturing facility
4.1Passive filter principles: single-tuned, double-tuned, damped and high-pass topologies4.2Detuned capacitor banks: reactor ratio selection, series resonance frequency and capacitor stress4.3Filter sizing: reactive power, harmonic current absorption and voltage rise at the bus4.4Component specification: IEC 60831/IEC 61642 capacitors, air-core and iron-core reactors4.5Sensitivity to detuning: tolerances, temperature, ageing and network changes4.6Multipulse rectifiers and phase-shifting transformers: 12, 18 and 24-pulse performance4.7Active front end and low-harmonic drives versus passive mitigation: comparison criteria4.8Hybrid passive-active architectures: reduced converter rating and improved robustness4.9Protection, switching and thermal design: inrush, discharge, fuses and enclosure ventilation4.10Case study: selection of a filtering solution for a drive-dominated process line
5.1Active filter architectures: shunt, series, hybrid and UPQC; two-level, three-level and four-leg converters5.2Power stage design: IGBT/SiC selection, DC-link capacitor sizing and thermal management5.3Output filter design: L and LCL filters, resonance damping and switching ripple attenuation5.4Harmonic reference extraction: instantaneous p-q theory, synchronous reference frame and id-iq methods5.5Selective harmonic compensation: multiple resonant controllers and harmonic-by-harmonic tuning5.6Current controllers: PI in dq, proportional-resonant, deadbeat, predictive and hysteresis control5.7DC-link voltage regulation: energy balance, loop design and dynamic response to load steps5.8PWM strategies: SPWM, SVPWM, dead-time effects and switching frequency trade-offs5.9Performance limits: bandwidth, delays, saturation and compensation capability versus load spectrum5.10Case study: design and simulation of a 100 kVA shunt active filter for a 400 V network
6.1Digital control platforms: TI C2000 DSPs, FPGA/SoC and real-time targets6.2Sampling, ADC chains, anti-aliasing and synchronisation with PWM carriers6.3Grid synchronisation: SRF-PLL, SOGI-PLL, DDSRF-PLL and behaviour under distorted and unbalanced grids6.4Online harmonic detection: sliding DFT, recursive DFT, moving-average filters and notch filters6.5Discretisation and delay compensation: Tustin, ZOH and computational delay6.6Fixed-point versus floating-point implementation: scaling, quantisation and execution time6.7Software-in-the-loop and controller HIL: test benches, signal injection and automated test cases6.8Power hardware-in-the-loop: grid emulators, programmable sources and safe interfacing6.9Commissioning and protection: pre-charge, fault handling, anti-islanding and watchdog design6.10Case study: implementation and bench validation of an active filter controller on a DSP
7.1Reactive power and voltage control: SVC, TCR/TSC and STATCOM operating principles7.2STATCOM for flicker and voltage regulation: control strategies and ratings7.3Dynamic voltage restorers: sag compensation, energy storage sizing and bypass operation7.4UPQC: series-shunt coordination and combined harmonic and sag mitigation7.5PV and wind inverters: harmonic emission, resonances and IEC 61727 / EN 50549 requirements7.6EV charging infrastructure: IEC 61851 chargers, harmonic aggregation and diversity7.7Battery storage and grid-forming converters: power quality services and limits7.8Grid codes and interconnection rules: IEEE 1547, ENTSO-E RfG and ride-through requirements7.9Microgrids and weak grids: stability, interaction between converters and harmonic stability7.10Case study: power quality impact assessment of a PV plant with storage connected to a weak feeder
8.1Modelling strategy: time-domain, frequency-domain and hybrid approaches for power quality studies8.2MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS: switching and averaged converter models8.3PSCAD/EMTDC and EMT studies: switching transients, energisation and resonance8.4DIgSILENT PowerFactory and ETAP: harmonic load-flow, frequency scan and filter design modules8.5Load and source models: ZIP, current-source and Norton equivalent harmonic models8.6Transformer and cable modelling: skin effect, saturation and frequency-dependent parameters8.7Monte Carlo and uncertainty analysis: harmonic summation rules and diversity8.8Model validation: comparison against field measurements and sensitivity analysis8.9Python and OpenDSS automation: batch studies, scripting and reproducible workflows8.10Case study: validated model of a distribution network with a mitigation scenario comparison
9.1Monitoring architecture: Class A and Class S instruments, sensors, time synchronisation and IEC 625869.2IEC 61000-4-30 in practice: aggregation intervals, flagging, uncertainty and data validity9.3Data formats and exchange: PQDIF (IEEE 1159.3), COMTRADE and IEC 61850 integration9.4Event detection and classification: thresholds, waveform analysis and machine learning methods9.5Statistical reporting: 95th and 99th percentile assessment under EN 50160 and IEEE 5199.6Source location: disturbance direction, harmonic source identification and responsibility allocation9.7Dashboards and KPIs: SARFI, SAIDI-linked indices and site power quality scorecards9.8Predictive maintenance: capacitor, filter and drive degradation from power quality data9.9Cybersecurity and data governance: IEC 62443, ISO 27001 and GDPR in monitoring systems9.10Case study: permanent monitoring design and annual compliance report for a multi-site operator
- F.1 Project definition: scope, objectives and alignment with the programme syllabus
- F.2 Requirements analysis and technical specifications: standards, limits and site constraints
- F.3 Measurement campaign and baseline diagnosis per IEC 61000-4-30 and IEC 61000-4-7
- F.4 Development plan: milestones, resources and schedule
- F.5 Technical implementation: modelling, filter design, simulation and controller validation
- F.6 Process documentation: traceability, justification and design decisions
- F.7 Results evaluation: THD/TDD, flicker, losses and compliance with IEEE 519 / EN 50160
- F.8 Technical presentation and defence of the project before an evaluation committee
- F.9 Professional reflection: lessons learned, innovation and continuous improvement
- F.10 Final delivery: full dossier, validated model or prototype and roadmap for deployment
How you'll learn
- Hands-on methodology: measure-before-you-mitigate, design reviews, failure analysis, compliance evidence.
- Software (subject to licences/partners): MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, PSCAD/EMTDC, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, OpenDSS, Python (NumPy/SciPy), Code Composer Studio for DSP development.
- SEIUM laboratories: Class A power quality analysers, non-linear load benches, scaled active filter prototype, programmable AC sources and grid emulator, controller and power HIL with high-speed data acquisition.
- Standards and compliance: IEC 61000 series, IEEE 519, EN 50160, ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 50001, ISO 27001.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Profile: background in Electrical, Energy, Industrial or Electronic Engineering, Physics or related fields; practical experience in power systems, power electronics or electrical installations is valued.
- Documentation: up-to-date CV, academic transcript, statement of purpose, examples of projects, studies or code (optional).
- Process: application → technical evaluation of profile and experience → technical interview → review of practical cases → final decision → enrolment.
- Fees:
- Single payment: 10% discount.
- Payment in 3 instalments: no fees; 30% at enrolment + 2 equal monthly payments of the remaining 35%.
- Monthly payment: available with a 7% surcharge on the total; reviewed annually.
- Scholarships: based on academic merit, financial situation and promotion of inclusion; agreements with companies in the sector for partial or full scholarships.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you receive an international certificate on completion.
Yes: real network models, field measurement records, applied simulations, professional tools and real case studies.
It is not mandatory. We offer bridging tracks in circuit theory and power electronics, plus tutoring.
Absolutely. It covers inverter-based resources, EV charger harmonics, grid-code compliance (IEEE 1547, EN 50549) and weak-grid integration.
Recommended. There are also internal challenges and consortium projects.
Yes. Online/hybrid format with planned laboratory sessions and visa support (see “Visa & residence”).
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