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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.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Postgraduate Diploma in Island Operation and Black Start — studying from Singapore

Singapore's energy system is largely based on natural gas, supplemented by growing investment in solar, energy storage and grid modernisation. The Energy Market Authority regulates the electricity and gas markets and oversees network reliability, while SP Group operates the national grid. Engineers work on power systems, distribution networks, energy efficiency and resilience planning. The sector also supports regional energy trading and the petrochemical cluster on Jurong Island.

Fees for Singapore: 1,600 S$ (Singapore dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in Singapore

  • Energy Market Authority (EMA)
  • SP Group
  • Singapore Power Engineering Association
  • Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES)

Typical roles

  • Power Systems Engineer
  • Grid Engineer
  • Energy Efficiency Engineer
  • Network Planning Engineer

Questions from Singapore

In what currency are fees shown?

Fees on this site are shown in Singapore dollars (SGD). Instalment plans are available, and some learners explore employer sponsorship.

What does the final project involve?

Each programme concludes with a final project that applies the course material to a practical engineering problem, supported by your technical tutor.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe the operating modes of renewable hybrid plants with storage.

02

Explain the converter requirements for island operation.

03

Design a black start sequence with progressive energisation.

04

Analyse frequency and voltage stability in island operation.

05

Adapt protection settings to isolated operation.

06

Specify the automation and control of the transition.

07

Evaluate the regulatory and contractual requirements of the restoration service.

Profile

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.
Standards & tools

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)
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1PV, wind and BESS hybrid plant configurations
  2. 1.2Grid-connected operation versus island operation
  3. 1.3Black start capability requirements
  4. 1.4Restoration service in network codes
  5. 1.5Regulation (EU) 2017/2196 on emergency and restoration
  6. 1.6System operator restoration plan
  7. 1.7Traditional black start sources
  8. 1.8Renewables as restoration providers
  9. 1.9International pilot experiences
  10. 1.10Workshop: analysis of a national restoration plan
  1. 2.1Limitations of grid-following control
  2. 2.2Grid-forming control in hybrid plants
  3. 2.3Virtual synchronous machine
  4. 2.4Droop and oscillator control
  5. 2.5Current limitation and overloads
  6. 2.6Sizing grid-forming batteries
  7. 2.7Coordination between plant inverters
  8. 2.8Operation without a grid reference
  9. 2.9ENTSO-E technical requirements for grid-forming
  10. 2.10Laboratory: grid-forming inverter in black start
  1. 3.1Transformer energisation and inrush current
  2. 3.2Temporary overvoltages and resonances
  3. 3.3Energisation of lines and cables at no load
  4. 3.4Ferroresonance
  5. 3.5Soft start and voltage ramps
  6. 3.6Block load pick-up
  7. 3.7Motor and auxiliary load starting
  8. 3.8Plant auxiliary services
  9. 3.9Switching coordination
  10. 3.10Practice: energisation study of a step-up transformer
  1. 4.1Frequency control with low inertia
  2. 4.2Voltage and reactive power control in island operation
  3. 4.3Small-signal stability
  4. 4.4Converter interactions
  5. 4.5Transient stability on load pick-up
  6. 4.6Island synchronisation
  7. 4.7Reconnection to the main grid
  8. 4.8RMS versus EMT studies
  9. 4.9Acceptance criteria
  10. 4.10Laboratory: EMT simulation of island load pick-up with PSCAD
  1. 5.1Fault currents limited by inverters
  2. 5.2Protection settings for island mode
  3. 5.3Island detection and anti-islanding
  4. 5.4Switchable setting groups
  5. 5.5Transformer protection during energisation
  6. 5.6Teleprotection schemes
  7. 5.7Coordination with the transmission network
  8. 5.8Protection testing
  9. 5.9Trip analysis
  10. 5.10Case study: adapting the protection of a hybrid plant for island mode
  1. 6.1Hybrid plant controller
  2. 6.2Automatic black start sequences
  3. 6.3Communication with the control centre
  4. 6.4IEC 61850 and GOOSE in the sequence
  5. 6.5SoC management for restoration
  6. 6.6Renewable forecasting during restoration
  7. 6.7Human-machine interfaces
  8. 6.8Cybersecurity of the sequence
  9. 6.9Hardware-in-the-loop testing
  10. 6.10Practice: design of the start-up sequence logic
  1. 7.1Black start capability tests
  2. 7.2Island operation tests
  3. 7.3System operator procedures
  4. 7.4Contracting the restoration service
  5. 7.5Service remuneration
  6. 7.6Availability requirements
  7. 7.7Analysis of the 2025 Iberian blackout
  8. 7.8Lessons learned from real restorations
  9. 7.9Renewable-based restoration roadmap
  10. 7.10Case study: black start service proposal to a TSO
  1. 8.1Characterisation of the plant and network
  2. 8.2Restoration service requirements
  3. 8.3Sizing grid-forming storage
  4. 8.4Energisation studies
  5. 8.5Island stability studies
  6. 8.6Protection scheme
  7. 8.7Control sequence and testing
  8. 8.8Economic analysis
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

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.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-focused final project:safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry-mentored:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:safety-by-design approach, OT cyber, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Characterisation of the plant and network

Describe the operating modes of renewable hybrid plants with storage.

Restoration service requirements

Explain the converter requirements for island operation.

Sizing grid-forming storage

Design a black start sequence with progressive energisation.

Energisation studies

Analyse frequency and voltage stability in island operation.

Island stability studies

Adapt protection settings to isolated operation.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Hybrid plant engineerService restoration specialistGrid-forming converter control engineerProtection engineerSystem operation engineerNon-frequency services consultant
Admissions & scholarships

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.

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FAQ

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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