Postgraduate Diploma in Harmonisation and Filters in Transmission
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in harmonics and filters in transmission, structured in 8 modules covering harmonic sources, network harmonic impedance, emission studies, high-voltage passive filters, active mitigation, measurement and verification, and harmonic interactions and instabilities, with an assigned technical tutor.
Postgraduate Diploma in Harmonisation and Filters in Transmission — 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 16 700 (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
Identify the sources of harmonics in transmission networks.
Calculate the harmonic impedance of the network.
Carry out emission studies according to IEC TR 61000-3-6.
Design high-voltage passive filters.
Assess active mitigation solutions.
Plan field verification measurements.
Analyse harmonic interactions and instabilities involving converters.
Who it's for
- Harmonic studies engineers.
- Transmission engineers.
- Filter design engineers.
- Specialists in network electromagnetic compatibility.
- HVDC connection engineers.
- Power quality consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to join a transmission system operator.
What you'll work with
- IEC TR 61000-3-6 (harmonic emission in MV, HV and EHV systems)
- IEC 61000-4-7 (harmonic measurement)
- IEEE 519-2022 (harmonic control)
- IEC 60871-1 (shunt capacitors above 1 kV)
- IEC 60076-6 (reactors)
- IEC 61000-4-30 (power quality measurement methods)
- PSCAD
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- EMTP
- MATLAB
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Harmonic sources in transmission networks1.2HVDC converters and FACTS as sources1.3Wind and photovoltaic plants1.4Industrial and traction loads1.5Background harmonics in the network1.6Propagation along long lines1.7Resonances in underground and subsea cables1.8THD, TDD and individual harmonic indices1.9IEC TR 61000-3-6 planning levels1.10Case study: harmonic profile of a 400 kV substation
2.1The concept of frequency-dependent impedance2.2Network impedance sweeps2.3Impedance loci2.4Modelling lines with distributed parameters2.5Modelling transformers and loads2.6Effect of network configuration2.7Contingency scenarios2.8Operator data for studies2.9Measuring harmonic impedance2.10Laboratory: impedance sweep in PowerFactory
3.1Allocation of emission limits3.2Harmonic summation method3.3General summation law and exponents3.4Conformity assessment3.5Harmonic models of converters3.6Equivalent Norton and Thévenin sources3.7Studies for offshore wind farms3.8Studies for HVDC connections3.9Requirements of European operators3.10Practical exercise: emission study for a wind farm
4.1Single and double-tuned filters4.2Second and third-order damped filters4.3C-type filters4.4Capacitor banks with filters4.5Sizing of capacitors and reactors4.6Losses and thermal rating4.7Tuning and detuning due to tolerances4.8Filter protection4.9Filter design for LCC HVDC4.10Workshop: design of a C-type filter
5.1STATCOM with filtering function5.2Active filters at high voltage5.3Harmonic control in plant converters5.4Active resonance damping5.5Coordination between filters and compensation5.6Harmonisation of requirements between operators5.7Multi-objective filter optimisation5.8Operating strategies for switchable filters5.9Technical and economic comparison5.10Laboratory: simulation of active damping
6.1Instrument transformers for harmonics6.2Frequency response of capacitive voltage transformers6.3Before-and-after measurement campaigns6.4Statistical assessment at the 95th percentile6.5Separating own emission from background6.6Continuous monitoring6.7Commissioning tests6.8Compliance report6.9Managing disputes with the operator6.10Case study: compliance verification after connection
7.1Harmonic instability with converters7.2Resonances in long cables7.3Interactions between nearby converters7.4Impedance-based stability analysis7.5Ferroresonance in transmission7.6Harmonic temporary overvoltages7.7Transformer energisation7.8EMT simulation of interactions7.9Real cases of harmonic instability7.10Practical exercise: impedance-based stability analysis
8.1Characterisation of the connection8.2Network impedance sweep8.3Harmonic emission study8.4Identification of non-compliances8.5Design of the filtering solution8.6Simulation and verification8.7Economic analysis8.8Measurement and compliance plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online 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 PSCAD, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, EMTP and MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: harmonic impedance sweeps, emission allocation studies and verification measurements in substations. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC TR 61000-3-6; IEC 61000-4-7; IEEE 519-2022; IEC 60871-1; IEC 60076-6; IEC 61000-4-30.
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 able to run 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 PSCAD, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, EMTP and MATLAB, 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 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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