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Our part-time Postgraduate Certificate Level 9 Award in Smart Sustainable Power Engineering will educate and train power grid engineers to design, operate, test and maintain the developing smart grid.



Our course familiarises professional engineers and graduates with the theory and application of new technologies applied to power systems. The course will offer exciting opportunities to understand future power networks' and their real challenges and develop innovative solutions.



Maintaining stability in the power grid has become a more significant challenge as we get more and more of our energy from wind and solar power plants. These power plants do not have the built-in inertia of conventional power plants, so they have no reserve energy that can be switched on if a generator fails or a power line is cut. This can lead to a rapid drop in frequency and destabilisation of the grid – and in the worst case, a blackout. The digital transformation of power systems' protection, automation and control is evolving rapidly. This digitisation of the power grid is considered a requirement of the smart grid. Advanced telecommunications networks and smart grid technologies will help the grid meet this demand for clean electricity. IEC 61850 has standardised communication, connectivity and interoperability within and between substations' automation systems.



All equipment can use standardised communication language independent of the vendor, optimising the existing power system infrastructure. However, this area has a shortage of skilled electrical power grid engineers. A significant change in skillset is required from the traditional engineering and installation of substations. Digitised and digitalised wide-area systems with virtualisation of protection and control functions and grid models are the future of power systems operations. This process significantly changes how the utility designs installations and operates the power system. The transformation will affect many enterprise activities tied to the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, asset management, and financing of transmission substations.



There is a shortage of skilled electrical digital power system professionals in this area. We need to expand our programme offering to adapt to the changing industry requirements. We can develop and lead this transformation with the collaboration of industry professionals (ESB, Consultants) and vendors (ABB, Siemens). Collaboration between industry and universities can be a potent source of innovation and new technology. In a great stride towards this direction, MTU has recently funded new electrical test and simulation equipment, and ABB has contributed its expertise and digital protection equipment to support the cause. The direct result of this cooperation is the opening of MTU's first power automation and protection academy (PAPA) in partnership with ABB.



The main task for successfully adopting the new digitalised power grid is to educate and train the existing workforce to acquire new digital skills. Grid engineers must deeply understand how to configure, test and maintain digital protection systems and communications equipment. These additional practical and digital protection skills for professional and graduate power grid engineers are essential in the current climate due to the lack of experienced power engineers with digital protection skills and experience.

ELEC9002 Networks for Power Utility Automation

This module will delve into the fundamental principles of digital networking and its specific use in the Substation and other application domains. It will place a special emphasis on comprehending the IEC 61850 standards and how cybersecurity relates to this space.



ELEC9003 Smart Power Grids

This module aims to provide learners with a fundamental and advanced principles of electrical distribution network planning, including the influence of distributed energy resources and Smart Grid challenges.



ELEC9004 Sustainable Power Systems Analysis

Learners will use state of the art software (e.g. DIgSILENT PowerFactory) to model and analyse modern power systems. Learners will assemble and build networks, and perform static and dynamic analysis for load flow, fault levels, voltage levels, frequency, and stability. These models will be used to explore the impact of adding renewable generation.



ELEC9005 Modern Power Systems Protection

This module introduces advanced power system protection and its application. The module will cover the configuration of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 systems, including conformance testing, migration, implementation issues, and recent developments. A "hands-on" approach is used to teach the concepts and understanding is reinforced with real-world examples.



ELEC9006 Power Infrastructure Design & Asset Management

Learners will design a substation and produce a design portfolio with chapters on Design constraints and considerations, Electrical SLD drawings, Switchgear and transformer procurement documents and Asset management/condition monitoring plan.



ELEC9007 Power Systems Case Study

This module develops within the learner the knowledge, skills, and competences required to scope and implement a case study of a relevant unstructured problem in power systems engineering ideally drawn from their workplace experience.

It is recommended that participants have at least a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Level 8 degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in Electrical Power Engineering, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or a closely related subject.



Applicants with other qualifications and/or experience will be considered on an individual basis.



For candidates without level 8 qualifications, a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process can be undertaken to assess the candidates' suitability for the course.



What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is when formal recognition is given for what you already know prior to starting on a programme or module. With recognition of prior learning the focus is on learning and not on experience as such. You can apply for RPL in any MTU accredited programme or module. Programmes which are accredited by professional bodies or any external awarding bodies may have their own procedures for RPL which you should refer to.

Application Deadline

January 20th 2025

1 year part-time,. blended.

Start Date: 20th January 2025