Postgraduate Diploma in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality. 8 modules covering IEEE 519-2022 (harmonic control), IEC 61000-3-6 (harmonic emission limits in MV and HV) and PSCAD. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Postgraduate Diploma in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality — 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: 17,600 R (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
Classify power quality disturbances.
Size capacitor banks and passive filters.
Explain the operation of SVC and STATCOM.
Design active filters for harmonic mitigation.
Select solutions for voltage dips and flicker.
Model and simulate compensation systems.
Specify a compensation solution for a real case.
Who it's for
- Power quality engineer wishing to specialise in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality.
- Reactive power compensation engineer wishing to specialise in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality.
- Power electronics engineer wishing to specialise in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality.
- Electrical studies engineer wishing to specialise in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality.
- FACTS solutions project manager wishing to specialise in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality.
- Applications engineer wishing to specialise in Active/Static Compensation and Power Quality.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter the electro-intensive industry.
What you'll work with
- IEEE 519-2022 (harmonic control)
- IEC 61000-3-6 (harmonic emission limits in MV and HV)
- IEC 61000-2-2 (compatibility levels in LV)
- IEEE 1531 (harmonic filters)
- IEC 60831-1 (power capacitors in LV)
- IEEE 1159 (power quality monitoring)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Harmonics and interharmonics1.2Voltage unbalance1.3Fluctuations and flicker1.4Dips and interruptions1.5Power factor and reactive energy1.6Switching transients1.7EN 50160 standard1.8IEEE 519 and IEC 61000-3 limits1.9Effects on transformers and motors1.10Case study: diagnosis of overheating in a transformer
2.1Fixed and automatic capacitor banks2.2Steps and reactive power regulator2.3Parallel and series resonance2.4Capacitors with detuning reactors2.5Passive tuned filters2.6High-pass filters2.7Sizing and quality factor2.8Inrush current and overvoltages2.9Capacitor bank protection2.10Laboratory: resonance calculation with capacitor banks
3.1SVC static compensators3.2Thyristor-controlled reactors TCR3.3Thyristor-switched capacitors TSC3.4Arc furnace compensation3.5SVC control and dynamic response3.6STATCOM compensators3.7SVC versus STATCOM comparison3.8Compensation in transmission networks3.9Applications in railway traction3.10Practice: sizing an SVC for an arc furnace
4.1Principle of the shunt active filter4.2Instantaneous power theory p-q4.3Current references in dq axes4.4Hysteresis and PWM control4.5Series active filters4.6Unified power quality conditioners UPQC4.7Hybrid active-passive filters4.8Sizing of active filters4.9Manufacturer and equipment selection4.10Workshop: simulation of a shunt active filter
5.1Dynamic voltage restorers DVR5.2Flicker compensation with STATCOM5.3UPS and storage for sensitive loads5.4Ferroresonant transformers5.5Single-phase load balancers5.6Unbalance compensation5.7Load-side solutions5.8Equipment immunity and tolerance curves5.9Cost-benefit analysis of mitigation5.10Case study: dip mitigation in a semiconductor plant
6.1Modelling of non-linear loads6.2Harmonic load flow studies6.3Frequency impedance scan6.4Simulation in PowerFactory and ETAP6.5EMT simulation of converters6.6Emission studies for connection6.7Allocation of emission limits IEC TR 61000-3-66.8Network sensitivity analysis6.9Validation with measurements6.10Laboratory: impedance scan of an industrial network
7.1Technical specification of compensation equipment7.2Factory and site testing7.3Integration with protection7.4Coordinated control of multiple compensators7.5Optimal location of compensation7.6Maintenance of compensation equipment7.7Reactive power penalties and savings7.8Return on investment7.9Cases in renewables and data centres7.10Practice: specification of a STATCOM for a wind farm
8.1Installation characterisation8.2Diagnosis of power quality problems8.3Harmonic and resonance studies8.4Selection of compensation technology8.5Sizing of the solution8.6Simulation of results8.7Economic analysis8.8Implementation and testing plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is PSCAD, ETAP, MATLAB/Simulink, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for resonance and filtering studies, simulation of static compensators and field verification of compensation solutions. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Classify power quality disturbances.
Size capacitor banks and passive filters.
Explain the operation of SVC and STATCOM.
Design active filters for harmonic mitigation.
Select solutions for voltage dips and flicker.
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's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
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 is 800 total hours spread over 6 to 8 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses PSCAD, ETAP, MATLAB/Simulink, DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own SEIUM diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area can be recognised in the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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