Postgraduate Diploma in Access Charging and Congestion Management
800-hour online Postgraduate Diploma in Access Charging and Congestion Management. 8 modules covering Regulation (EU) 2019/943 (internal electricity market), Regulation (EU) 2015/1222 (CACM) and PSS/E. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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
Explain the relationship between electricity markets and transmission networks.
Apply cost allocation methodologies for network charges.
Calculate power flows and interconnection capacity.
Differentiate between nodal and zonal prices and their implications.
Evaluate congestion management mechanisms.
Describe financial transmission rights and their hedging uses.
Analyse the procedures for access, connection and network planning.
Who it's for
- Network regulation analyst looking to specialise in Access Charging and Congestion Management.
- Transmission planning engineer looking to specialise in Access Charging and Congestion Management.
- Congestion management specialist looking to specialise in Access Charging and Congestion Management.
- Access tariff analyst looking to specialise in Access Charging and Congestion Management.
- Electricity markets consultant looking to specialise in Access Charging and Congestion Management.
- Access capacity engineer looking to specialise in Access Charging and Congestion Management.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences seeking to enter electricity transmission.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2019/943 (internal electricity market)
- Regulation (EU) 2015/1222 (CACM)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/1719 (forward capacity allocation)
- CNMC Circular 3/2020 (transmission and distribution tolls)
- Royal Decree 1183/2020 (access and connection)
- CNMC Circular 1/2021 (access and connection)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Unbundling of activities and the system operator1.2Market models: pool, bilateral and nodal1.3Network assets and the regulatory asset base1.4Transmission costs and their nature1.5Tariff principles: efficiency, equity and sufficiency1.6Directive (EU) 2019/944 and Regulation (EU) 2019/9431.7Role of ACER and national regulators1.8CNMC Circular 3/2020 on tolls1.9Location signals for generation and demand1.10Case study: toll structure in Spain
2.1Average cost versus marginal cost2.2Postage stamp method2.3MW-mile method and variants2.4Average participation and dominant flow2.5Distribution factors PTDF and GSDF2.6Loss allocation and loss factors2.7Capacity and energy charges2.8Time-of-use discrimination and tariff periods2.9Shallow and deep connection charges2.10Workshop: cost allocation in a six-node network
3.1DC power flow3.2Thermal, voltage and stability limits3.3N-1 security criterion3.4Net transfer capacity NTC3.5Reliability margins TRM and CBM3.6Common grid model CGM3.7Flow-based capacity calculation3.8Critical network elements and contingencies CNEC3.9CACM Regulation (EU) 2015/12223.10Practice: NTC calculation with pandapower
4.1Economic dispatch with network constraints4.2Locational marginal price LMP4.3Decomposition into energy, congestion and losses4.4Nodal markets of PJM, ERCOT and CAISO4.5Bidding zones and their review in Europe4.6Market coupling and the EUPHEMIA algorithm4.7Congestion rents and their use4.8Implicit versus explicit allocation4.9Price distortions and market power4.10Laboratory: DC OPF and LMP calculation in Python
5.1Redispatch and technical constraints5.2Counter-trading5.3Local flexibility markets5.4Phase-shifting transformers and flow control5.5Dynamic line rating and real line capacity5.6Topological network switching5.7Regional coordination via RCCs5.8Redispatch costs and their pass-through5.9Congestion in distribution networks5.10Case study: redispatch after a contingency
6.1Financial transmission rights FTR6.2Physical transmission rights PTR and the use-it-or-sell-it rule6.3JAO auctions and the single allocation platform6.4Firmness and compensation for curtailment6.5Congestion revenue rights in nodal markets6.6FTR valuation and basis risk6.7Hedging strategies for suppliers6.8Contracts for difference and locational risk6.9Interaction with forward markets6.10Workshop: valuation of an FTR portfolio
7.1Network access and connection procedures7.2Access capacity tenders7.3Priority criteria and administrative milestones7.4Flexible access and non-firm connection7.5Network planning and cost-benefit analysis7.6ENTSO-E CBA methodology and TYNDP7.7Anticipatory investments and stranded assets7.8Regulatory incentives for efficiency7.9Integration of renewables and storage7.10Case study: wind farm access application
8.1Definition of the system and scope of the study8.2Network modeling and demand scenarios8.3Calculation of tolls with two methodologies8.4Restricted dispatch simulation8.5Identification of congestion and its costs8.6Proposal of management mechanisms8.7Agent Impact Analysis8.8Regulatory recommendations8.9Memory and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: 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 PSS/E, MATPOWER, GAMS, PLEXOS, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The practicals cover real procedures for calculating nodal marginal prices, simulating power flows with congestion, and allocating network costs using alternative methodologies. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the relationship between electricity markets and transmission networks.
Apply cost allocation methodologies for network charges.
Calculate power flows and interconnection capacity.
Differentiate between nodal and zonal prices and their implications.
Evaluate congestion management mechanisms.
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 Spanish to follow technical regulatory reading.
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 comprises 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses PSS/E, MATPOWER, GAMS, PLEXOS and DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the higher programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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