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Master’s in Port (Cold-Ironing) and Airport Electrification: Compatibility and Operation

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in port (cold-ironing) and airport electrification, 12 modules covering the IEC/IEEE 80005 series, ship-to-shore compatibility, shore-side frequency converters, grid connection, 400 Hz aircraft ground power, operation, safety, maintenance and commissioning, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1,900 hours · 12–14 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor

Master’s in Port (Cold-Ironing) and Airport Electrification: Compatibility and Operation — studying from the United States

The United States operates one of the world's largest energy systems, spanning power generation, transmission, distribution and renewable resources. Utilities, grid operators and technology companies are investing in grid modernization, storage and distributed energy resources. Regional clusters in Texas, California, the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest support engineers working on transmission planning, substations and energy markets. Reliability and cybersecurity standards make grid expertise especially valuable.

Fees for the United States: 9,970 US$ (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.

Relevant bodies in the United States

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Power & Energy Society (IEEE PES)
  • U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Typical roles

  • Power Systems Engineer
  • Transmission Planning Engineer
  • Grid Modernization Engineer
  • Energy Systems Analyst

Questions from the United States

Is the programme taught in English?

Yes. All programmes are taught in English, with technical materials and assessments delivered in that language.

Can I study from any state?

Yes. Programmes are 100% online, so you can study from anywhere in the United States with a reliable internet connection.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Apply the IEC/IEEE 80005 series to ship-to-shore connections.

02

Analyse electrical compatibility between ships and quayside grids.

03

Specify frequency converters and synchronisation systems.

04

Size 400 Hz and pre-conditioned air systems for aircraft.

05

Design safe connection and disconnection procedures.

06

Manage electrical risks in port and airport environments.

07

Plan compatibility testing and commissioning.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Port electrification engineers.
  • Airport systems engineers.
  • Quay operations managers.
  • Electrical compatibility engineers.
  • Commissioning engineers.
  • Electrical safety coordinators.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to work for port authorities or airports.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC/IEEE 80005-1 (high-voltage shore connection systems)
  • IEC/IEEE 80005-3 (low-voltage shore connection systems)
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR) (alternative fuels infrastructure)
  • Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime) (greenhouse gas intensity of maritime energy)
  • IEC 62613-1 (plugs and socket-outlets for shore connection)
  • ISO 6858 (aircraft ground support electrical supplies)
  • SAE ARP 5015 (ground equipment 400 Hz power quality)
  • IEC 61000-2-4 (compatibility levels in industrial plants)
  • DIgSILENT PowerFactory
  • ETAP
  • PSCAD/EMTDC
  • MATLAB/Simulink
  • AutoCAD Electrical
Syllabus

12 modules

  1. 1.1Emissions from berthed ships and aircraft on the ground
  2. 1.2FuelEU Maritime Regulation and connection obligations
  3. 1.3AFIR Regulation and targets for ports and airports
  4. 1.4Stakeholders: port authorities, shipping lines and operators
  5. 1.5Interface between ship, quay and distribution grid
  6. 1.6Interface between aircraft, boarding bridge and airport grid
  7. 1.7Service usage and availability indicators
  8. 1.8Technical compatibility barriers
  9. 1.9Experience in European ports
  10. 1.10Case study: compatibility diagnosis of a quay
  1. 2.1Scope of IEC/IEEE 80005-1 for high voltage
  2. 2.2Requirements of IEC/IEEE 80005-3 for low voltage
  3. 2.3Ship-type-specific requirements
  4. 2.4Cable and reel configuration
  5. 2.5Standardised connectors to IEC 62613
  6. 2.6Ship-to-shore equipotential bonding system
  7. 2.7Safety loops and emergency shutdown
  8. 2.8Connection and disconnection sequence
  9. 2.9Responsibilities of ship and port
  10. 2.10Workshop: requirements matrix by ship type
  1. 3.150 and 60 Hz frequencies on board
  2. 3.26.6 and 11 kV voltage levels
  3. 3.3Ship neutral earthing schemes
  4. 3.4Available short-circuit current
  5. 3.5Protection coordination between systems
  6. 3.6Power quality required by the ship
  7. 3.7Seamless transfer by synchronisation
  8. 3.8Transfer with brief interruption
  9. 3.9Control system compatibility
  10. 3.10Practical: compatibility study for a cruise ship
  1. 4.1Static converter topologies
  2. 4.2Sizing by ship type
  3. 4.3Centralised versus distributed converters
  4. 4.4Isolation transformers
  5. 4.5Harmonic filters and power quality
  6. 4.6Synchronisation control with the ship
  7. 4.7Redundancy and availability
  8. 4.8Location and civil works
  9. 4.9Converter maintenance
  10. 4.10Lab: simulation of ship-to-shore synchronisation
  1. 5.1Grid capacity in port areas
  2. 5.2MV and HV connection points
  3. 5.3Simultaneous demand peaks
  4. 5.4Connection studies with the distribution company
  5. 5.5Storage to reduce contracted capacity
  6. 5.6Integration of port renewable generation
  7. 5.7Tariffs and access charges
  8. 5.8Contracting capacity
  9. 5.9Planning expansions
  10. 5.10Case study: connection of a container terminal
  1. 6.1400 Hz requirements for aircraft
  2. 6.2Ground power units (GPU)
  3. 6.3Fixed converters on boarding bridges
  4. 6.4Pre-conditioned air (PCA)
  5. 6.5Reducing APU use
  6. 6.6Requirements of ISO 6858 and SAE ARP 5015
  7. 6.7Aircraft cables and connectors
  8. 6.8Compatibility by aircraft family
  9. 6.9Apron management
  10. 6.10Practical: 400 Hz sizing for a terminal
  1. 7.1400 Hz voltage quality
  2. 7.2Distortion and voltage regulation
  3. 7.3Aircraft connection transients
  4. 7.4Electromagnetic compatibility on the apron
  5. 7.5Interference with navigation aids
  6. 7.6Aircraft earthing
  7. 7.7Protection of ground equipment
  8. 7.8Compatibility testing
  9. 7.9Incident logging
  10. 7.10Lab: power quality measurement at a 400 Hz outlet
  1. 8.1Quayside operating procedures
  2. 8.2Training of ground staff
  3. 8.3Coordination with the crew
  4. 8.4Pre-connection checklist
  5. 8.5Electrical safety management
  6. 8.6Work permits and lockout
  7. 8.7Operation in adverse weather
  8. 8.8Management of the airport equipment fleet
  9. 8.9Energy metering and billing
  10. 8.10Practical: step-by-step connection procedure
  1. 9.1Electrical risks in port environments
  2. 9.2Arc flash in high-voltage connections
  3. 9.3HAZID analysis of the installation
  4. 9.4ATEX zones in fuel terminals
  5. 9.5Personnel safety on the quay
  6. 9.6Emergency and evacuation plans
  7. 9.7Control system cybersecurity
  8. 9.8Insurance and civil liability
  9. 9.9Incident investigation
  10. 9.10Workshop: HAZID of a cold-ironing installation
  1. 10.1Preventive maintenance of connectors
  2. 10.2Inspection of cables and reels
  3. 10.3Transformer maintenance
  4. 10.4Remote equipment monitoring
  5. 10.5Availability indicators
  6. 10.6Critical spare parts management
  7. 10.7Predictive maintenance of converters
  8. 10.8Maintenance contracts
  9. 10.9Equipment life cycle
  10. 10.10Case study: maintenance plan for a cruise quay
  1. 11.1Factory acceptance testing of converters
  2. 11.2Quayside commissioning tests
  3. 11.3Connection tests with the first ship
  4. 11.4Interlock verification
  5. 11.5Load transfer tests
  6. 11.6Safety loop tests
  7. 11.7Acceptance documentation
  8. 11.8Certification by a classification society
  9. 11.9Lessons learned from commissioning
  10. 11.10Practical: compatibility test protocol
  1. 12.1Selecting the port or airport
  2. 12.2Analysis of the user fleet
  3. 12.3Compatibility requirements
  4. 12.4Design of the electrical solution
  5. 12.5Grid integration
  6. 12.6Operating procedures
  7. 12.7Testing and commissioning plan
  8. 12.8Economic and environmental assessment
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PSCAD/EMTDC, MATLAB/Simulink and AutoCAD Electrical, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied on real procedures for ship-to-shore compatibility tests, load transfer tests and 400 Hz voltage quality measurement. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC/IEEE 80005-1, IEC/IEEE 80005-3, Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR), Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime), IEC 62613-1, ISO 6858, SAE ARP 5015, IEC 61000-2-4.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC/IEEE 80005-1, IEC/IEEE 80005-3 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 (AFIR) applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PSCAD/EMTDC, MATLAB/Simulink and AutoCAD Electrical, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete electrification project for a real port or airport, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

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

Fleet and compatibility analysis
Analyse the user fleet and build the compatibility requirements matrix.
Electrical solution design
Specify converters, transformers and synchronisation for the berth or stand.
Grid integration
Study the grid connection and the use of storage to limit contracted capacity.
Operation and testing
Draft the connection procedure, HAZID and commissioning test protocol.
Master's Thesis
A complete electrification project for a real port or airport, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Port electrification engineerAirport systems engineerQuay operations managerElectrical compatibility engineerCommissioning engineerElectrical safety coordinator
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

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 totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PSCAD/EMTDC, MATLAB/Simulink and AutoCAD Electrical, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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