Master’s in Hydrogen Engines (H₂ ICE) and Off-Road Fuel Cells Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in hydrogen engine (H₂ ICE) and off-road fuel cell engineering. 12 modules covering hydrogen combustion, diesel engine conversion, PEM fuel cells, on-board storage, safety, refuelling infrastructure and UN ECE Regulation No. 134, with an assigned technical tutor.
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
Analyse hydrogen as an energy carrier in off-road applications.
Design hydrogen combustion engines.
Size fuel cell systems.
Integrate on-board hydrogen storage.
Apply safety and explosive atmosphere requirements.
Plan refuelling infrastructure.
Assess the economic feasibility of hydrogen machines.
Who it's for
- Hydrogen engine engineers working on combustion and conversion projects.
- Fuel cell engineers moving into off-road machinery.
- Hydrogen safety engineers.
- Refuelling infrastructure engineers.
- Systems integration engineers in construction, agricultural or mining equipment.
- Decarbonisation consultants advising machinery fleets.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the construction machinery sector.
What you'll work with
- UN ECE Regulation No. 134 (hydrogen vehicles)
- ISO 19880-1 (hydrogen fuelling stations)
- SAE J2601 (refuelling protocols)
- Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX)
- Directive 2014/68/EU (pressure equipment)
- ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality)
- IEC 62282-2-100 (fuel cell modules)
- GT-SUITE
- MATLAB/Simulink
- AVL Cruise M
- Ansys Fluent
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Production methods1.2Classification by origin1.3Physical and chemical properties1.4Gravimetric and volumetric energy density1.5Characteristic hazards of hydrogen1.6Value chain1.7Refuelling stations1.8European hydrogen strategy1.9Current and projected costs1.10Case study: hydrogen supply to a construction site
2.1Hydrogen combustion2.2Pre-ignition and auto-ignition2.3Flashback2.4Port injection versus direct injection2.5Lean-burn operation2.6NOx formation2.7Lean-burn turbocharging2.8Hydrogen-compatible materials2.9Lubricant and crankcase2.10Laboratory: lean combustion simulation
3.1Feasibility of conversion3.2Cylinder head modification3.3Ignition system3.4Gas injectors3.5Pistons and compression ratio3.6Crankcase ventilation3.7Electronic control of the converted engine3.8NOx aftertreatment3.9Validation of the converted engine3.10Practical exercise: engine conversion plan
4.1Electrochemistry of the PEM cell4.2Cell stack design4.3Membrane electrode assembly and catalysts4.4Balance of plant4.5Membrane humidification4.6Air compressor4.7Fuel cell degradation4.8System control4.9Fuel cell system efficiency4.10Laboratory: polarisation curve
5.1Type I to IV tanks5.2350 and 700 bar pressures5.3Cryogenic liquid hydrogen5.4Metal hydride storage5.5Requirements of UN ECE Regulation No. 1345.6Chassis integration5.7Storage safety5.8Refuelling and connections5.9Mass and volume5.10Case study: tanks for a tractor
6.1Hybridisation architectures6.2Fuel cell and battery sizing6.3Energy management6.4Transient response of the fuel cell6.5Cycling degradation6.6DC/DC power converters6.7Hybrid system control6.8Duty cycles6.9Hybrid system simulation6.10Practical exercise: fuel cell-battery management strategy
7.1Fuel cell waste heat7.2Large-surface radiators7.3Low operating temperature of the fuel cell7.4Water management7.5Cold start7.6Machine integration7.7Cooling fans7.8Thermal simulation of the circuit7.9Circuit design7.10Practical exercise: thermal sizing of a 150 kW fuel cell
8.1Flammability limits8.2Leaks and permeation8.3Hydrogen detection8.4Ventilation of enclosed spaces8.5Classification of explosive atmospheres8.6Hydrogen embrittlement8.7Safety regulations8.8Station requirements8.9Staff training8.10Case study: HAZOP of a hydrogen vehicle
9.1Fixed refuelling stations9.2Mobile refuelling stations9.3Refuelling protocols9.4Compression and storage at the station9.5Supply logistics9.6Infrastructure costs9.7Station regulations9.8Permits and licences9.9Real refuelling experience9.10Case study: mobile station for a quarry
10.1Type approval of hydrogen vehicles10.2Emissions from hydrogen engines10.3Pressure equipment10.4Requirements of the ATEX Directive10.5Machinery Regulation10.6Component certification10.7Customer requirements10.8Applicable ISO standards10.9Expected regulatory developments10.10Case study: certification route
11.1Total cost of ownership11.2Manufacturer projects11.3Comparisons with diesel and battery11.4Availability of renewable hydrogen11.5Public grants and financing11.6Investment risks11.7Market for hydrogen machines11.8Business adoption strategy11.9Lessons learned from projects11.10Case study: TCO of diesel, hydrogen and battery
12.1Machine selection12.2Energy requirements of the machine12.3Choice between H2 ICE and fuel cell12.4Storage sizing12.5System thermal management12.6Safety analysis12.7Supply infrastructure12.8Economic feasibility of the project12.9Master'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. 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 GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, AVL Cruise M and Ansys Fluent, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures: hydrogen engine testing, fuel cell characterisation and HAZOP safety analysis. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: UN ECE Regulation No. 134, ISO 19880-1, SAE J2601, Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX), Directive 2014/68/EU, ISO 14687, IEC 62282-2-100.
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 GT-SUITE, MATLAB/Simulink, AVL Cruise M and Ansys Fluent, 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 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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