Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant and Power Systems
Online 800 h Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant and Power Systems. 8 modules covering ISO 22734 (hydrogen generators by water electrolysis), Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment) and Aspen Plus. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Balance of Plant and Power Systems — studying from the United Kingdom
Energy engineering in the United Kingdom spans offshore wind, nuclear, gas, grid infrastructure and energy storage, with regional hubs in Aberdeen, Teesside, Humberside and the South West. The transition to net zero drives investment in transmission and distribution networks, renewable generation and digital grid management. Operators such as National Grid, SSE and Scottish Power employ engineers in planning, operations and asset management. The energy regulator Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator shape market rules and system planning.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £746 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which UK bodies are relevant to energy and networks engineering qualifications?
In the UK, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Energy Institute are the main professional bodies for energy and networks, and the Engineering Council handles chartered registration. Regulation of the sector is by Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by these bodies, so recognition is for the relevant body and employers to decide.
Do UK energy and network operators value private online qualifications?
UK energy utilities, network operators and grid contractors typically hire on the basis of competence, safety training, professional registration and project experience. A private qualification may support your profile, but its relevance is decided by each employer. Demonstrated practical work and progress towards professional registration usually matter most.
How does online study fit a UK working life, and what about funding?
Programmes are fully online, so you can study around your UK job and no student visa is needed to study from home. Teaching is in English, and an assigned technical tutor supports your progress. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers sponsor job-related training, which varies by employer. Check the programme hours and funding options before enrolling.
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
Compare alkaline, PEM and solid oxide electrolysis technologies.
Size the power electronics and rectification of the electrolyser.
Apply grid connection requirements to the plant.
Design the water, gas and purification process systems.
Size thermal management and utilities.
Define the plant's control and safety systems.
Optimise operation according to electricity prices and renewable resource.
Who it's for
- Hydrogen process engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Electrical engineers in electrolysis plants who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Power electronics engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Process safety engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Control and instrumentation engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Plant operations engineers who want to specialise in Balance of Plant and Power Systems.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the hydrogen industry.
What you'll work with
- ISO 22734 (hydrogen generators by water electrolysis)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment)
- IEC 60079-10-1 (gas zone classification)
- IEC 61511 (functional safety in process industries)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG grid code)
- ISO 14687 (hydrogen quality)
- IEC 61000-3-12 (harmonic currents)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Alkaline, PEM, AEM and solid oxide technologies1.2Components of an electrolysis stack1.3Polarisation curve and overvoltages1.4Efficiency and specific consumption kWh/kg1.5Operating pressure and its effect1.6Plant configuration and balance of plant1.7Scaling from MW to GW1.8Manufacturers and state of the technology1.9ISO 22734 standards for electrolysers1.10Case study: alkaline vs PEM comparison for 20 MW
2.1Thyristor rectifiers for electrolysis2.2IGBT rectifiers with active control2.3Multipulse rectifier transformers2.4Harmonics and power factor2.5Current ripple and its effect on the stack2.6DC-DC topologies for renewable coupling2.7Direct connection to photovoltaics2.8Efficiency of the conversion chain2.9Cooling of power electronics2.10Laboratory: simulation of a 12-pulse rectifier
3.1Substation and high-voltage connection3.2Grid codes for large loads3.3Power quality and harmonic limits3.4Reactive power compensation and filters3.5Grid flexibility services3.6Fast frequency response3.7Short-circuit studies3.8Electrical protection of the plant3.9Access contract and tariffs3.10Workshop: harmonic study of a 50 MW plant
4.1Gas-liquid separators4.2Purification: deoxo and drying4.3Electrolyte loop management4.4Pumps and water circulation4.5Heat exchangers and cooling4.6Outlet compression4.7Venting and hydrogen flare4.8Management of the oxygen by-product4.9Process instrumentation4.10Practice: mass and energy balance of the BoP
5.1Process heat and operating temperature5.2Cooling towers and air coolers5.3Waste heat recovery5.4Nitrogen for inerting5.5Instrument air5.6Demineralised water systems5.7Auxiliary loads of the BoP5.8Optimisation of parasitic consumption5.9Integration with district heating networks5.10Case study: waste heat recovery in an urban network
6.1DCS and PLC control architecture6.2Pressure, level and temperature control6.3Load ramping and dynamic operation6.4SIL safety instrumented systems6.5Hydrogen detection in air6.6ATEX zoning in the plant6.7HAZOP and LOPA analysis6.8Emergency shutdowns and purges6.9Control system cybersecurity6.10Laboratory: pressure control loop in simulation
7.1Operating strategies with variable renewables7.2Hot, cold and standby start-up7.3Part-load operation7.4Optimisation of hourly dispatch7.5Plant performance indicators7.6Maintenance of BoP equipment7.7Integration with storage and consumption7.8Levelised cost of hydrogen (LCOH)7.9Reducing BoP CAPEX7.10Practice: dispatch optimisation with hourly prices
8.1Definition of capacity and technology8.2Power chain design8.3Grid connection study8.4Process and utilities design8.5Control and safety strategy8.6Estimation of consumption and performance8.7Economic analysis of LCOH8.8Execution plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Aspen Plus, MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real plant HAZOP study procedures, mass and energy balance simulation and grid connection studies. 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.
Compare alkaline, PEM and solid oxide electrolysis technologies.
Size the power electronics and rectification of the electrolyser.
Apply grid connection requirements to the plant.
Design the water, gas and purification process systems.
Size thermal management and utilities.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is 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.
The programme uses Aspen Plus, MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD and DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM 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 recognition policy when you enrol.
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