Diploma in HRS Stations: Compression, Dispensing and Conformity
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS): compression, dispensing and conformity. 8 modules covering hydrogen in mobility, hydrogen compression, station storage, dispensing and fuelling protocols, station safety, hydrogen quality and metrology and conformity and commissioning, applying ISO 19880-1, SAE J2601 and ISO 14687, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in HRS Stations: Compression, Dispensing and Conformity — studying from South Africa
Engineering-led businesses in South Africa depend on managers who understand both technology and commercial strategy. The country's industrial policy, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's support for manufacturing and export sectors, shapes investment decisions in engineering firms. Large employers such as Eskom, Transnet and major mining and manufacturing groups look for leaders who can manage complex technical programmes. Skills in project economics, procurement and technology governance are valued across the economy.
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
Will a SEIUM qualification be recognised by South African professional bodies in management or technology policy?
Bodies such as the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa and the South African Qualifications Authority set standards in their own fields, but none automatically recognises a private online qualification. SEIUM's qualifications are not state degrees and are not accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body, so check with them directly.
Does this kind of qualification help with career progression in South African business or public policy roles?
Employers in South Africa, including corporates, consultancies and government-linked organisations, often prioritise experience, reputable degrees and professional memberships. A private online qualification in technology management or policy can complement your experience and show specialist focus, but it does not guarantee promotion or a particular role. Ask your employer or target organisation how they view it.
How much time does the course need, and can I get employer funding?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you need good working English and self-discipline. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Many South African employers fund training in general terms, so it is worth asking 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
Understand the role of hydrogen in mobility.
Select suitable compression systems.
Size the storage of a station.
Apply standardised dispensing protocols.
Assess safety and hazardous area classification.
Ensure the quality and metering of dispensed hydrogen.
Manage the conformity and commissioning of an HRS.
Who it's for
- Hydrogen station engineers.
- Process safety managers.
- Commissioning technicians.
- Refuelling infrastructure consultants.
- Pressure equipment inspectors.
- Hydrogen project managers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the energy sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 19880-1 (gaseous hydrogen fuelling stations)
- SAE J2601 (hydrogen fuelling protocols)
- ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality)
- ISO 17268 (hydrogen refuelling connection devices)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 AFIR (alternative fuels infrastructure)
- Directive 2014/68/EU (Pressure Equipment Directive)
- Directive 2014/34/EU ATEX (equipment for explosive atmospheres)
- OIML R 139 (compressed gaseous fuel measuring systems)
- DNV Phast
- HyRAM+
- Aspen HYSYS
- AutoCAD Plant 3D
8 modules
1.1Physical properties of hydrogen1.2Value chain: production, transport and use1.3Green, blue and grey hydrogen1.4Light-duty and heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles1.5Types of HRS stations1.6On-site production versus external supply1.7European station map1.8AFIR Regulation and deployment targets1.9Levelised cost of dispensed hydrogen1.10Case study: basic sizing of an urban station
2.1Piston and diaphragm compressors2.2Ionic and cryogenic compressors2.3Multi-stage compression and cooling2.4Gas purity and oil contamination2.5Efficiency and energy consumption2.6Compressor maintenance2.7Noise and vibration2.8Reliability and redundancy2.9Selection by flow rate and pressure2.10Practical exercise: calculating compression power
3.1High-pressure cascade storage3.2Type I to IV vessels3.3Liquid hydrogen storage3.4Tube trailers and their exchange3.5Hydrogen embrittlement of materials3.6Pressure management in banks3.7Inspection of pressure vessels3.8Safety distances for storage3.9Storage sizing3.10Workshop: cascade strategy for 200 kg per day
4.1SAE J2601 protocol for light-duty vehicles4.2Fuelling at 350 and 700 bar4.3Pre-cooling the gas to -40 °C4.4Vehicle-dispenser communication SAE J27994.5ISO 17268 nozzles and receptacles4.6Protocols for heavy-duty vehicles4.7Measuring dispensed mass4.8Fuelling and filling times4.9State-of-charge control4.10Lab: simulating a fuelling event according to J2601
5.1HAZOP analysis of the station5.2ATEX zone classification5.3Leak and flame detection5.4Ventilation and safe venting5.5Emergency shutdown systems5.6Fire protection5.7Safety and separation distances5.8Quantitative risk assessment5.9Emergency self-protection plan5.10Case study: zone classification of an HRS
6.1ISO 14687 specification6.2Contaminants critical to the fuel cell6.3Quality sampling and analysis6.4Quality assurance plan to ISO 19880-86.5Legal metrology of dispensers6.6OIML Recommendation R 1396.7Calibration of Coriolis flow meters6.8Billing and transactions6.9Quality audits6.10Practical exercise: hydrogen quality sampling plan
7.1ISO 19880-1 station standard7.2Pressure Equipment Directive7.3ATEX Equipment Directive7.4Permitting the installation7.5Factory and site acceptance tests7.6Dispenser certification7.7Mandatory periodic inspections of the station7.8Operator training7.9Technical file documentation7.10Workshop: commissioning checklist
8.1Defining hydrogen demand8.2Selecting the supply technology8.3Compression and storage design8.4Dispensing design8.5Safety study8.6Conformity and permitting plan8.7Economic analysis of the project8.8Operation and maintenance plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. 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 DNV Phast, HyRAM+, Aspen HYSYS and AutoCAD Plant 3D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: simulating a 700 bar fuelling event, ATEX zone classification of a station and site acceptance tests of a dispenser. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: ISO 19880-1, SAE J2601, ISO 14687, ISO 17268, Regulation (EU) 2023/1804 AFIR, Directive 2014/68/EU, Directive 2014/34/EU ATEX, OIML R 139.
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.
- 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 DNV Phast, HyRAM+, Aspen HYSYS and AutoCAD Plant 3D, 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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