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Master'sEnergy and Networks Applications open

Master’s in Digital Substation Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in digital substation engineering. 12 modules covering IEC 61850, process bus architecture, PRP/HSR and PTP networks, GOOSE and sampled-value protection, asset monitoring, SCL engineering, testing and commissioning, IEC 62351 and IEC 62443 cybersecurity and virtualisation, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the architecture of a digital substation.

02

Apply the IEC 61850 data model and services.

03

Design redundant, synchronised communication networks.

04

Configure protection schemes based on digital messages.

05

Plan testing and commissioning of digital systems.

06

Implement cybersecurity measures in substations.

07

Manage the migration of conventional substations.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Protection and control engineers.
  • Substation automation engineers.
  • IEC 61850 specialists.
  • Commissioning engineers.
  • OT cybersecurity specialists.
  • Substation project managers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to move into power transmission.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 61850 (series, communication in substations)
  • IEC 62351 (security of power system communications)
  • IEC 62443 (security of industrial automation systems)
  • IEC 62439-3 (PRP and HSR)
  • IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3 (PTP profile for power utility automation)
  • IEC 61869-9 (digital interface for instrument transformers)
  • Royal Decree 337/2014 (Spanish regulation on high-voltage electrical installations)
  • IEC 60255 (measuring relays and protection equipment)
  • Helinks STS
  • Omicron StationScout
  • Wireshark
  • SEL AcSELerator Architect
  • Siemens DIGSI
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Busbar configurations
  2. 1.2HV and MV switchyard equipment
  3. 1.3Conventional protection and control systems
  4. 1.4Limitations of copper wiring
  5. 1.5The digital substation concept
  6. 1.6Benefits in cost, safety and space
  7. 1.7Digitalisation roadmap
  8. 1.8Experiences of European operators
  9. 1.9Barriers to adoption
  10. 1.10Case study: comparison of conventional and digital architectures
  1. 2.1Structure of the IEC 61850 series
  2. 2.2Data model and logical nodes
  3. 2.3SCL configuration language
  4. 2.4SSD, SCD, ICD and CID files
  5. 2.5MMS client-server services
  6. 2.6High-priority GOOSE messages
  7. 2.7Sampled values (SV)
  8. 2.8Editions of the standard
  9. 2.9Interoperability profiles
  10. 2.10Laboratory: configuring an IED using SCL
  1. 3.1Station, bay and process levels
  2. 3.2Station bus and process bus
  3. 3.3Merging units at process level
  4. 3.4Non-conventional instrument transformers
  5. 3.5Circuit breakers with integrated electronics
  6. 3.6Redundant control architectures
  7. 3.7Control system design
  8. 3.8Interface with the control centre
  9. 3.9Integration of existing equipment
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: architecture design for a 220 kV substation
  1. 4.1Industrial Ethernet in substations
  2. 4.2Network topologies
  3. 4.3PRP and HSR redundancy
  4. 4.4PTP time synchronisation
  5. 4.5VLANs and quality of service
  6. 4.6Latency and determinism
  7. 4.7Switches for substations
  8. 4.8Wide area networks
  9. 4.9Network testing
  10. 4.10Laboratory: PRP and PTP on a test network
  1. 5.1GOOSE-based protection
  2. 5.2Teleprotection schemes
  3. 5.3Distributed busbar differential protection
  4. 5.4Protection with sampled values
  5. 5.5Digital interlocking between bays
  6. 5.6Protection testing
  7. 5.7Selectivity and timing
  8. 5.8Topology-adaptive protection
  9. 5.9Centralised server-based protection
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: breaker failure scheme using GOOSE
  1. 6.1Transformer monitoring
  2. 6.2Online dissolved gas analysis
  3. 6.3Circuit breaker monitoring
  4. 6.4Partial discharge monitoring
  5. 6.5Thermography and sensors
  6. 6.6Digital twins of assets
  7. 6.7Predictive maintenance of switchgear
  8. 6.8Analytics platforms
  9. 6.9Integration with ISO 55000
  10. 6.10Case study: monitoring plan for a power transformer
  1. 7.1IEC 61850 engineering workflow
  2. 7.2System configuration tools
  3. 7.3IED configuration tools
  4. 7.4Version management
  5. 7.5Requirements specification
  6. 7.6Digital project documentation
  7. 7.7Virtual engineering and twins
  8. 7.8Factory acceptance testing
  9. 7.9Change management
  10. 7.10Workshop: producing a complete SCD file
  1. 8.1Conformance testing
  2. 8.2Interoperability testing
  3. 8.3Injection of sampled values
  4. 8.4Simulation of GOOSE messages
  5. 8.5Test mode according to IEC 61850
  6. 8.6Site acceptance testing
  7. 8.7Phased commissioning
  8. 8.8Disturbance records
  9. 8.9Commissioning lessons
  10. 8.10Laboratory: protection testing with digital injection equipment
  1. 9.1Threats to substations
  2. 9.2IEC 62351 for communication security
  3. 9.3IEC 62443 in automation
  4. 9.4Segmentation and defence in depth
  5. 9.5Remote access management
  6. 9.6Security monitoring
  7. 9.7Patch management
  8. 9.8Incident response
  9. 9.9Network code on cybersecurity
  10. 9.10Practical exercise: risk analysis of a digital substation
  1. 10.1Virtualised protection and control
  2. 10.2Common hardware platforms
  3. 10.3Containers in substations
  4. 10.4Edge computing in the substation
  5. 10.5Synchrophasors and WAMS
  6. 10.6Integration with DER
  7. 10.7Renewable collector substations
  8. 10.8Mobile and modular substations
  9. 10.9Emerging virtualisation standards
  10. 10.10Case study: virtualised protection pilot
  1. 11.1Migration strategies
  2. 11.2Retrofit of existing substations
  3. 11.3Life-cycle costs
  4. 11.4Staff training
  5. 11.5Maintenance of digital systems
  6. 11.6Equipment obsolescence
  7. 11.7Suppliers and standardisation
  8. 11.8Project risk management
  9. 11.9Success indicators
  10. 11.10Workshop: migration plan for a conventional substation
  1. 12.1Definition of the substation
  2. 12.2Requirements specification
  3. 12.3Architecture and communications
  4. 12.4Protection and control schemes
  5. 12.5IEC 61850 configuration
  6. 12.6Test plan
  7. 12.7Cybersecurity and migration
  8. 12.8Conclusions and future work
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

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 can be combined with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Helinks STS, Omicron StationScout, Wireshark, SEL AcSELerator Architect and Siemens DIGSI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Work is based on real procedures for configuring IEDs with SCL files, protection testing with sampled values and GOOSE traffic analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: IEC 61850, IEC 62351, IEC 62443, IEC 62439-3, IEC/IEEE 61850-9-3, IEC 61869-9, Royal Decree 337/2014, IEC 60255.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of IEC 61850, IEC 62351 and IEC 62443 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Helinks STS, Omicron StationScout, Wireshark, SEL AcSELerator Architect and Siemens DIGSI, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete digital substation design, from requirements and architecture to protection schemes, IEC 61850 configuration, test plan and migration, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Design the architecture
Define station, bay and process levels for a 220 kV digital substation.
Build the network
Design a redundant PRP network with PTP time synchronisation.
Configure protection
Implement a GOOSE breaker failure scheme and produce the SCD file.
Test and secure
Plan protection testing with digital injection and a cybersecurity risk analysis.
Master's Thesis
Present the complete digital substation project with its migration plan, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Protection and control engineerSubstation automation engineerIEC 61850 specialistCommissioning engineerOT cybersecurity specialistSubstation project manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • 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.

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FAQ

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 Helinks STS, Omicron StationScout, Wireshark, SEL AcSELerator Architect and Siemens DIGSI, 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 programme 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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