Postgraduate Diploma in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail
Online Postgraduate Diploma of 800 h in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail. 8 modules covering EN 50163, EN 50367 and OpenPowerNet. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
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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
Describe the electrical power supply systems for railways.
Analyse current collection and pantograph-catenary interaction.
Quantify the regenerative braking potential of a line.
Size on-board storage systems.
Design trackside storage systems.
Model traction networks with multiple trains.
Apply railway energy efficiency regulations.
Who it's for
- Railway electrification engineer looking to specialise in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail.
- Traction systems specialist looking to specialise in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail.
- Railway energy efficiency engineer looking to specialise in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail.
- Power systems simulation engineer looking to specialise in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail.
- Catenary maintenance technician looking to specialise in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail.
- Railway infrastructure consultant looking to specialise in Current Collection, Storage and Regeneration in Rail.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the railway sector.
What you'll work with
- EN 50163
- EN 50367
- EN 50388-1
- EN 50463-2
- EN 50122-2
- EN 50121-3-1
- EN 50317
- Reglamento (UE) 1301/2014
8 modules · 800 h
1.1AC and DC electrification1.2Railway traction substations1.3Standardised voltages according to EN 501631.4Overhead line and third rail1.5Return current circuit1.6Sectioning and neutral sections1.72x25 kV supply system1.8Metro and tram power supply1.9Traction power quality1.10Case study: power supply scheme for a metro
2.1Pantographs and their dynamic behaviour2.2Pantograph-catenary interaction2.3Wear of contact strips and contact wire2.4Arcing and loss of contact2.5Requirements of EN 50367 and EN 503172.6Current collection via third rail2.7Catenary-free trams and ground-level power supply2.8Measurement of current collection quality2.9Dynamic simulation of current collection2.10Laboratory: pantograph-catenary interaction simulation
3.1Principles of electric braking3.2Line receptivity of the supply network3.3Regenerated energy and wasted energy3.4Rheostatic braking and its losses3.5Catenary voltage limitations3.6Reversible traction substations3.7Energy recovery inverters3.8Energy feedback to the public grid3.9Quantifying regenerative potential3.10Practice: calculation of recoverable energy
4.1Supercapacitors in trams4.2On-board batteries in traction4.3On-board flywheels4.4Hybrid storage systems4.5Sizing according to the duty cycle4.6On-board storage control4.7On-board thermal management4.8Safety of on-board systems4.9Commercial cases in service4.10Workshop: supercapacitor sizing
5.1Stationary storage systems5.2Optimal location along the line5.3Supercapacitors and batteries in substations5.4Line voltage stabilisation5.5Peak demand reduction5.6Storage control strategies5.7Integration with renewable generation5.8Economic analysis of storage5.9System maintenance5.10Case study: storage on a metro line
6.1Electrical models of substations6.2Trains as moving loads6.3Load flow with multiple trains6.4Catenary voltage simulation6.5Stray currents and their modelling6.6Losses in the traction network6.7Operating scenarios6.8Railway electrical simulation tools6.9Validation with field measurements6.10Laboratory: multi-train simulation
7.1Energy measurement according to EN 504637.2TSI energy subsystem7.3Traction energy contracts7.4Energy efficiency indicators7.5Eco-driving on the railway7.6Energy audits of lines7.7Stray currents according to EN 50122-27.8Electromagnetic compatibility according to EN 501217.9Evaluation of efficiency projects7.10Practice: energy audit of a line
8.1Line characterisation8.2Traction network model8.3Regeneration potential8.4Storage design8.5Simulation of operating scenarios8.6Techno-economic evaluation of alternatives8.7Risk analysis8.8Final recommendations for the operator8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded lessons and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: 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 OpenPowerNet, MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures from regeneration studies on metro lines, storage sizing at traction substations and pantograph-catenary interaction simulation. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the electrical power supply systems for railways.
Analyse current collection and pantograph-catenary interaction.
Quantify the regenerative braking potential of a line.
Size on-board storage systems.
Design trackside storage systems.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulations.
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 works with OpenPowerNet, MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD and Python. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It 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 recognised in the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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