Master’s in Power-to-X Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in Power-to-X engineering, structured in 12 modules covering carbon and nitrogen sources, catalytic reactors, green ammonia, renewable methanol, synthetic fuels and e-SAF, process integration, safety, RFNBO regulation and plant economics, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Power-to-X Engineering — 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
Compare Power-to-X chains and their efficiency.
Select suitable carbon and nitrogen sources.
Design catalytic synthesis reactors.
Simulate ammonia, methanol and synthetic fuel processes.
Thermally integrate Power-to-X plants.
Apply the regulatory framework for renewable fuels of non-biological origin.
Assess the economic viability of PtX plants.
Who it's for
- Power-to-X process engineers
- Synthesis chemical engineers
- Sustainable fuels analysts
- PtX project developers
- Life cycle consultants
- Process safety specialists
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into the chemical industry
What you'll work with
- Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 (RFNBO)
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185 (RFNBO emissions savings methodology)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime)
- Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions)
- Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III)
- ISO 14040/14044 (life cycle assessment)
- Aspen Plus
- Aspen HYSYS
- DWSIM
- SimaPro
- Python (Pyomo)
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Definition of Power-to-X1.2Power-to-Gas, Power-to-Liquid and Power-to-Heat1.3Role in decarbonisation1.4Value chains1.5Conversion efficiency1.6Comparison with direct electrification1.7Target product markets1.8Reference projects1.9Scale-up challenges1.10Case study: comparison of PtX chain efficiencies
2.1CO2 capture from industrial sources2.2Biogenic CO2 capture2.3Direct air capture2.4CO2 purification2.5CO2 transport2.6Nitrogen separation from air2.7Cryogenic air separation units2.8Capture costs2.9Carbon accounting2.10Practical: CO2 balance of an e-methanol plant
3.1Kinetics of heterogeneous reactions3.2Fixed-bed reactors3.3Fluidised-bed reactors3.4Reaction heat management3.5Catalysts and deactivation3.6Chemical equilibrium and conversion3.7Reactor modelling3.8Reactor scale-up3.9Operating flexibility3.10Lab: model of a synthesis reactor in Aspen Plus
4.1Conventional Haber-Bosch process4.2Flexible synthesis with renewables4.3Ammonia catalysts4.4Ammonia storage4.5Ammonia as a marine fuel4.6Ammonia cracking4.7Ammonia safety4.8Fertiliser markets4.9Green ammonia plants4.10Case study: conceptual design of a 100 t/d plant
5.1Methanol synthesis from CO25.2Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts5.3Methanol distillation5.4Methanol as a marine fuel5.5Conversion to olefins and aromatics5.6Methanol to gasoline5.7Thermal integration of synthesis5.8Operating plants5.9Methanol markets5.10Practical: simulation of an e-methanol plant
6.1Low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis6.2Reverse water-gas shift reaction6.3Hydrocracking and refining6.4Synthetic kerosene for aviation6.5e-SAF production6.6Renewable synthetic diesel6.7Synthetic methane by methanation6.8Overall chain efficiency6.9Technical barriers to scale-up6.10Lab: Fischer-Tropsch product distribution
7.1Heat integration and pinch analysis7.2Integration with electrolysis7.3Flexible versus continuous operation7.4Intermediate hydrogen storage7.5Utilities and services7.6Water balance7.7Process control7.8Plant optimisation7.9Process diagrams7.10Practical: pinch analysis of a PtX plant
8.1Chemical process hazards8.2HAZOP of PtX plants8.3Toxicity of ammonia and methanol8.4Application of the Seveso Directive8.5Integrated environmental authorisation8.6Air emissions8.7Effluent management8.8Life cycle assessment8.9Environmental impact assessment8.10Workshop: risk analysis of an ammonia storage facility
9.1RFNBO and EU criteria9.2ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation9.3FuelEU Maritime Regulation9.4Emissions trading system9.5Fuel certification9.6Guarantees of origin9.7Blending mandates9.8Voluntary fuel markets9.9Long-term offtake contracts9.10Practical: calculation of emissions savings for an e-fuel
10.1Investment costs10.2Electricity and hydrogen costs10.3Cost of CO210.4Levelised cost of products10.5Scale and learning curves10.6Project finance10.7Market risks10.8Public support for PtX10.9Sensitivity analysis10.10Case study: levelised cost of e-kerosene
11.1Siting criteria11.2Ports and industry11.3Availability of renewable resource11.4Water and desalination11.5Product export11.6Existing industrial clusters11.7Infrastructure shared between plants11.8Social acceptance of chemical plants11.9Land-use planning and industrial land11.10Lab: multi-criteria site analysis with GIS
12.1Selection of the PtX product12.2Energy and carbon sources12.3Process design12.4Integration and simulation12.5Safety and environmental analysis12.6Economic assessment of the plant12.7Regulatory fit of the product12.8Conclusions and future work12.9Master'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. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, DWSIM, SimaPro and Python (Pyomo), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for synthesis process simulation, pinch analysis for thermal integration and life cycle assessment of e-fuels. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Directive (EU) 2023/2413 (RED III), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184 (RFNBO), Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185 (RFNBO emissions savings methodology), Regulation (EU) 2023/2405 (ReFuelEU Aviation), Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (FuelEU Maritime), Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions), Directive 2012/18/EU (Seveso III), ISO 14040/14044 (life cycle assessment).
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 Aspen Plus, Aspen HYSYS, DWSIM, SimaPro and Python (Pyomo), 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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