Master’s in Transmission Engineering, FACTS & HVDC
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in transmission, FACTS and HVDC engineering. 12 modules covering overhead line and cable design, power electronics, FACTS devices, LCC and VSC HVDC systems, converter control and EMT modelling, offshore multi-terminal grids, project engineering and transmission economics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Transmission Engineering, FACTS & HVDC — 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: US$9,970 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which US bodies and regulators govern energy and power network engineering?
In the US, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulates wholesale electricity and interstate transmission, while state public utility commissions oversee distribution. The IEEE Power & Energy Society is a key professional body, and Professional Engineer licensure from state boards is common for utility engineering. SEIUM's private qualifications are not official degrees, so employers and licensing boards decide any recognition.
Do US utilities and energy employers recognize private online engineering qualifications?
US utilities, grid operators and energy firms usually require accredited engineering degrees, PE licensure for certain roles, and relevant operational experience. A private online qualification can add specialist knowledge, but it is not a standard substitute for these requirements. Its value depends on the employer's policies and on your practical background.
Can I realistically study energy and networks from the US while working full time?
Yes, the programmes are fully online, taught in English, and do not require a student visa. The time commitment is about 1,900 hours for a master's, 800 hours for a postgraduate diploma, or 300 hours for a specialist course, so plan carefully. Each student has an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers sponsor professional development, so check with yours.
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
Design overhead lines and high-voltage cables to technical and regulatory criteria.
Understand how power electronic converters work.
Select FACTS devices for specific network problems.
Analyse the configurations and control of HVDC systems.
Carry out integration studies for FACTS and HVDC.
Plan offshore and multi-terminal grids.
Assess the economics of transmission and interconnection projects.
Who it's for
- Power transmission engineers.
- HVDC systems engineers.
- FACTS specialists.
- Network studies engineers at TSOs and consultancies.
- Interconnection project engineers.
- Offshore grid consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into power transmission.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2016/1447 (HVDC network code)
- Royal Decree 223/2008 (Spanish regulation on high-voltage power lines)
- IEC 60287 (calculation of the current rating of cables)
- IEC 62501 (VSC valves for HVDC)
- IEC 61954 (testing of thyristor valves for SVC)
- IEC 60071 (insulation coordination)
- Regulation (EU) 2022/869 (trans-European energy infrastructure, TEN-E)
- IEEE 1031 (functional specification of SVCs)
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- PSCAD/EMTDC
- PLECS
- MATLAB/Simulink
- PLS-CADD
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Architecture of transmission networks1.2Voltage levels and their justification1.3Overhead lines, cables and substations1.4Transmission limits: thermal, voltage and stability1.5Surge impedance loading and compensation1.6Transmission corridors and planning1.7European transmission interconnections1.8Challenges of integrating remote renewables1.9AC versus DC: technical comparison1.10Case study: capacity of a 400 kV corridor
2.1Conductors and their selection2.2Mechanical calculation of conductors2.3Towers and foundations2.4Insulation and coordination2.5Corona effect and radio interference2.6Electromagnetic fields of lines2.7High-voltage line regulations2.8Uprating and high-temperature conductors2.9Dynamic line rating2.10Practical exercise: sag and tension calculation for a span
3.1XLPE cables and their construction3.2Rating calculation according to IEC 602873.3Sheath bonding and earthing3.4High-voltage submarine cables3.5Accessories and joints3.6Cable testing3.7Reactive compensation in long cables3.8Fibre-optic monitoring3.9Faults and repair3.10Laboratory: ampacity calculation for a buried cable
4.1Semiconductors: thyristors, IGBTs and SiC4.2Natural and forced commutation4.3Line-commutated converters4.4Voltage source converters4.5Pulse-width modulation4.6Harmonics and filtering4.7Losses and cooling4.8High-voltage valves4.9Semiconductor reliability4.10Laboratory: simulation of a three-phase converter in PLECS
5.1Series and shunt compensation5.2SVC: principle and control5.3STATCOM and its response5.4TCSC and controlled series compensation5.5UPFC and power flow control5.6Phase-shifting transformers in transmission5.7Modern synchronous condensers5.8Applications in the transmission network5.9Device selection5.10Practical exercise: sizing a STATCOM for voltage support
6.1Monopolar and bipolar configurations6.2LCC HVDC: principles6.3VSC HVDC and modular multilevel converters6.4Back-to-back and asynchronous interconnections6.5DC power and voltage control6.6DC faults and their management6.7DC circuit breakers6.8Losses and efficiency6.9HVDC projects in Europe6.10Case study: the Spain–France link via the Bay of Biscay
7.1Vector control in the dq frame7.2PLL synchronisation loop7.3Grid-forming control7.4Circulating current control in MMCs7.5Average and detailed models7.6EMT simulation of converters7.7Control interactions7.8Subsynchronous control resonances7.9Model validation7.10Laboratory: EMT model of a VSC-HVDC link
8.1Connection studies for FACTS and HVDC8.2Load flow with control devices8.3Stability with HVDC8.4Frequency support from DC links8.5Oscillation damping8.6Control coordination8.7HVDC network code requirements8.8Interaction with offshore renewables8.9Harmonic analysis8.10Practical exercise: integration study of an HVDC link in PowerFactory
9.1Offshore wind power export9.2Offshore converter platforms9.3Multi-terminal DC grids9.4DC voltage control in grids9.5Protection of DC grids9.6Multi-vendor interoperability9.7Offshore grid projects in the North Sea9.8Offshore grid planning9.9Outstanding technical challenges9.10Case study: multi-terminal grid concept for offshore wind farms
10.1Functional specification of equipment10.2System studies at tender stage10.3Equipment selection10.4Civil works for converter stations10.5Factory and site testing10.6Commissioning10.7Operation and maintenance10.8EPC project management10.9Costs and schedules10.10Workshop: technical specification of an SVC station
11.1Cost of AC lines versus DC links11.2Cost-benefit analysis of interconnections11.3Cross-border cost allocation11.4Projects of common interest11.5Binding planning in Spain11.6Remuneration of transmission assets11.7Environmental permitting of lines11.8Social acceptance of lines11.9European funding for interconnections11.10Case study: economic assessment of an interconnection
12.1Statement of the transmission problem12.2Technology selection12.3System modelling12.4Steady-state studies12.5Dynamic or EMT studies12.6Conceptual design of the solution12.7Economic assessment of the project12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
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 can be combined with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSCAD/EMTDC, PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink and PLS-CADD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Work is based on real procedures for HVDC link integration studies, EMT simulations of converters and mechanical calculation of overhead lines. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2016/1447, Royal Decree 223/2008, IEC 60287, IEC 62501, IEC 61954, IEC 60071, Regulation (EU) 2022/869, IEEE 1031.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running 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.
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, PSCAD/EMTDC, PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink and PLS-CADD, 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 degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme 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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