Diploma in Diesel-Electric Propulsion and Energy Management
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in diesel-electric propulsion and energy management. 8 modules covering propulsion architectures, generating plants, distribution, converters, power quality, energy management and hybridisation, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Diesel-Electric Propulsion and Energy Management — studying from South Africa
South Africa has a established defence industry centred on companies such as Denel and Paramount Group, with capabilities in land systems, armoured vehicles and munitions. The sector supports engineering roles in systems integration, vehicle design and test and evaluation. Defence procurement and export controls are overseen by government bodies, and the industry works closely with the South African National Defence Force. Engineers in this field typically combine mechanical, electrical and systems skills.
Fees for South Africa: R 33 400 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies regulate or recognise defence and military engineering professionals?
Engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA under the Engineering Profession Act, and defence programmes are guided by institutions such as the South African National Defence Force and Armscor, which set their own requirements. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by these bodies and your employer, so confirm with them first.
Would this qualification help me find work in South Africa's defence or land systems sector?
South Africa has a defence industry with state-linked entities and private contractors, and employers usually require security clearances, relevant experience and recognised qualifications. A private online programme may support your application but does not guarantee employment or clearance. Check requirements with prospective employers, as roles in this sector can be sensitive and tightly controlled.
Can I study alongside a job, and are there funding options?
The course is 100% online and taught in English, so you need strong English, and no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible, so ask whether your employer would fund part of the training.
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
Understand diesel-electric propulsion architectures in ships.
Size generating plants and distribution systems.
Analyse power converters and propulsion motors.
Assess power quality and harmonics.
Design on-board energy management systems.
Integrate energy storage and hybrid propulsion.
Apply naval electrical and environmental regulations.
Who it's for
- Naval electrical engineers.
- Propulsion engineers.
- Chief engineers looking to deepen their knowledge of electric plants.
- Energy management engineers in the maritime sector.
- Power systems engineers moving into marine applications.
- Naval automation engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter naval defence.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60092-501 (electrical installations in ships: electric propulsion plant)
- IEC 61892 (mobile and fixed offshore units: electrical installations)
- ISO 8528 (reciprocating internal combustion engine driven generating sets)
- IEEE 519 (harmonic control in electric power systems)
- IEEE 45 (electrical installations on shipboard)
- STANAG 1008 (electrical power systems in naval ships)
- MARPOL Annex VI (prevention of air pollution from ships)
- MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical
- ETAP
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- PSCAD
8 modules
1.1Mechanical versus electric propulsion1.2Diesel-electric configurations1.3CODLAG hybrid propulsion1.4Integrated electrical system1.5Operational advantages1.6Ship operating profiles1.7Redundancy and survivability1.8Examples in warships and civil vessels1.9Electrification trends1.10Case study: architecture selection for a patrol vessel
2.1Medium- and high-speed diesel engines2.2Synchronous generators2.3Generating sets according to ISO 85282.4Load sharing2.5Voltage and frequency regulation2.6Specific fuel consumption2.7Plant sizing2.8Starting and synchronisation2.9Generating set maintenance2.10Practical exercise: sizing a generating plant
3.1Main and emergency switchboards3.2AC distribution3.3DC distribution3.4Medium voltage on board3.5Protection and selectivity3.6Short circuits3.7Earthing3.8IEC 60092 standards3.9STANAG 1008 requirements3.10Lab: load flow study with ETAP
4.1Induction motors4.2Synchronous and permanent-magnet motors4.3Frequency converters4.4Multilevel topologies4.5Vector control and direct torque control4.6Azimuth thrusters4.7Fixed- and controllable-pitch propellers4.8Drivetrain efficiency4.9Equipment cooling4.10Practical exercise: simulation of a propulsion drive
5.1Harmonics and their effects5.2Limits according to IEEE 5195.3Passive and active filters5.4Transients and voltage dips5.5Power factor5.6Electromagnetic compatibility5.7Power quality measurements5.8Stability studies5.9Pulsed loads5.10Lab: harmonic analysis
6.1Power management systems6.2Optimal generator dispatch6.3Priority load management6.4Heat recovery6.5Energy efficiency at sea6.6Efficiency indicators6.7Emissions and MARPOL Annex VI6.8Alternative fuels6.9Energy monitoring6.10Case study: optimisation of generator dispatch
7.1Marine batteries7.2Supercapacitors7.3Hybrid operating modes7.4Silent running7.5Battery safety on board7.6Fuel cells on ships7.7Shore power connection in port7.8Control of hybrid systems7.9Life cycle analysis7.10Workshop: design of a hybrid battery system
8.1Definition of the vessel and operating profile8.2Proposed architecture8.3Sizing of the generating plant8.4Distribution design8.5Propulsion selection8.6Power quality study8.7Energy management strategy8.8Emissions assessment8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final 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: 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 MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical, ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSCAD, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: a load flow study of a naval electrical plant, harmonic analysis of propulsion converters and optimisation of generator dispatch. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Standards covered: IEC 60092-501, IEC 61892, ISO 8528, IEEE 519, IEEE 45, STANAG 1008, MARPOL Annex VI.
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
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An 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 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB/Simulink Simscape Electrical, ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSCAD, 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 final project. 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 are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), 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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