Master’s in H₂ Infrastructure: Compression, Storage and Safety
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in H₂ infrastructure: compression, storage and safety, with 12 modules covering the hydrogen value chain, compression technologies, pressurised and bulk storage, transport and distribution, risk analysis and the regulatory framework (ISO/TR 15916, ASME B31.12, Directive 2014/68/EU), with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in H₂ Infrastructure: Compression, Storage and Safety — studying from South Africa
Energy is a defining sector in South Africa, with Eskom operating the bulk of the national generation and transmission network and independent power producers increasingly contributing renewable capacity. Grid modernisation, renewable integration and distribution management create steady demand for engineers. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa oversees electricity regulation, while municipalities manage local distribution. Energy engineers typically work on generation, transmission, protection and system planning.
Fees for South Africa: R 129 000 (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 energy and networks engineers, and would SEIUM count?
Energy engineers in South Africa are registered through ECSA, and the electricity sector is regulated by NERSA. Utilities and networks often require registered professionals for certain work. SEIUM is a private online institute, and its qualifications are not official state degrees or accredited by a national body. Recognition is for employers and the relevant body to decide, so verify this before enrolling.
Will this qualification help me find work with energy or network employers in South Africa?
South Africa's energy sector includes Eskom, municipalities, independent power producers and grid-related firms, which typically hire registered and experienced engineers. A private online qualification may support your application but does not guarantee a role. Check with target employers how they view it, and combine it with practical experience where possible.
How do I manage the workload, and can I get help with fees?
The programme is fully online and taught in English, so you need good 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, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible, so ask your employer whether they would support the cost.
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 hydrogen value chain.
Analyse the safety properties of hydrogen.
Select compression technologies.
Design pressurised and bulk storage.
Plan the transport and distribution of hydrogen.
Carry out risk analyses of facilities.
Apply industrial safety regulations.
Who it's for
- Hydrogen infrastructure engineers
- Process safety engineers
- Compression and storage engineers
- Materials engineers
- Hydrogen project managers
- Occupational risk prevention technicians
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into green hydrogen
What you'll work with
- ISO/TR 15916 (basic safety considerations for hydrogen systems)
- ASME B31.12 (hydrogen piping and pipelines)
- Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment for explosive atmospheres)
- Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III major-accident hazards)
- IEC 61511 (functional safety of safety instrumented systems)
- ISO 11114-4 (material compatibility and hydrogen embrittlement)
- ISO 19884 (hydrogen storage cylinders and tubes)
- DNV Phast
- Aspen HYSYS
- FLACS-CFD
- H2FIRST HyRAM+
- Caesar II
12 modules
1.1Production, transport, storage and use1.2Green, blue and low-carbon hydrogen1.3European and Spanish strategies1.4Current industrial demand1.5New uses of hydrogen1.6European Hydrogen Backbone1.7H2Med hydrogen corridor1.8Logistics chain costs1.9Infrastructure challenges1.10Case study: logistics chain of a hydrogen valley
2.1Physical and chemical properties2.2Volumetric and gravimetric energy density2.3Flammability and explosive limits2.4Minimum ignition energy2.5Flame speed and detonation2.6Diffusivity and permeation2.7Hydrogen embrittlement2.8Material compatibility2.9Comparison with natural gas2.10Lab: compatibility of steels with hydrogen
3.1Thermodynamics of gas compression3.2Reciprocating piston compressors3.3Centrifugal compressors for pipelines3.4Diaphragm compressors3.5Ionic and electrochemical compression3.6Efficiency and energy consumption3.7Integration with electrolysers3.8Compressor maintenance3.9Technology selection3.10Practical exercise: compression sizing for a 20 MW electrolyser
4.1Steel pressure vessels4.2Type III and IV composite vessels4.3Tube and bundle storage4.4Tube trailers for transport4.5Design to the ASME code4.6Vessel testing4.7Fatigue and service life4.8Periodic inspection of vessels4.9Costs per kilogram stored4.10Lab: sizing a storage bank
5.1Salt cavern storage5.2Storage in depleted reservoirs5.3Liquid hydrogen and liquefaction5.4LOHC organic carriers5.5Ammonia as a carrier5.6Metal hydride storage5.7Seasonal energy storage5.8Techno-economic comparison of options5.9Reference projects5.10Practical exercise: comparison of carriers for imports
6.1Dedicated hydrogen pipelines6.2Repurposing natural gas pipelines6.3Hydrogen blends in the grid6.4Road transport6.5Maritime transport of hydrogen6.6Import terminals6.7Compression stations6.8Hydrogen metering6.9Gas quality in the grid6.10Lab: pressure drop in a hydrogen pipeline
7.1Hazard identification7.2Leaks, dispersion and accumulation7.3Jet fires7.4Explosions and deflagrations7.5Leak and flame detection7.6Ventilation and safe design7.7ATEX zone classification7.8Safety distances7.9Lessons from historical accidents7.10Workshop: hazard identification for a plant
8.1HAZID and HAZOP methodologies8.2LOPA layer of protection analysis8.3Quantitative risk analysis8.4Consequence modelling8.5Failure frequencies8.6Risk acceptability criteria8.7Safety instrumented systems8.8SIL functions to IEC 615118.9Residual risk management8.10Practical exercise: consequence modelling with Phast
9.1Embrittlement mechanisms9.2Steel selection9.3Polymers and seals9.4Piping design9.5Welded joints and their qualification9.6Valves and fittings9.7Materials testing in hydrogen9.8ASME B31.12 standards9.9Mechanical integrity management9.10Lab: materials selection for a line
10.1Pressure Equipment Directive10.2ATEX Directive on explosive atmospheres10.3Seveso III Directive10.4Regulations on the storage of chemical products10.5ISO standards from technical committee TC 19710.6EU hydrogen and gas package10.7Permitting of facilities10.8ADR transport regulations10.9Certification of facilities10.10Practical exercise: regulatory matrix for a storage facility
11.1Safe operating procedures11.2Purging and inerting11.3Commissioning of facilities11.4Maintenance of compressors and valves11.5Inspection of pressure equipment11.6Permit-to-work management11.7Staff training11.8Emergency plans11.9Process safety indicators11.10Case study: commissioning procedure
12.1Definition of the facility12.2Demand and flow analysis12.3Compression design12.4Storage design12.5Safety analysis12.6Verification of regulatory compliance12.7Economic evaluation of the facility12.8Implementation plan12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, 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, Aspen HYSYS, FLACS-CFD, H2FIRST HyRAM+ and Caesar II, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for HAZOP analysis of facilities, dispersion and explosion modelling, and materials compatibility testing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISO/TR 15916, ASME B31.12, Directive 2014/68/EU (Pressure Equipment), Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX), Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III), IEC 61511, ISO 11114-4, ISO 19884.
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
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- 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 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 DNV Phast, Aspen HYSYS, FLACS-CFD, H2FIRST HyRAM+ and Caesar II, 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 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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