Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Professional Diploma in Power System Analysis

ProfDip (NFQ Level 9)
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Contact Us

The Climate Action Plan launched in 2019 by the Irish Government defines a new growth strategy and roadmap to decarbonise the energy sector and renovate buildings and transportation to help cut energy bills and usage. The recent European Green Deal goes in the same direction and will have several implications for Ireland, in particular for the electrical power system.

There is, in particular, a need for training for electrical engineers who are currently in employment, or are expected to be recruited into the sector, in the field of electrical energy system security, control, stability analysis, resilience, renewable energy, converter-interfaced generation and low-inertia systems. This new Professional Diploma fills this gap.

The programme offers state-of-the-art modules in power system modelling, dynamics and control. Particular emphasis is given to renewable energy systems. The programme also offers modules on optimisation techniques and stability analysis of nonlinear systems, which are specifically designed for applications to power system problems.

Modules & Delivery Mode
The Professional Diploma in Power System Analysis comprises 20 credits of Option Modules (four modules).  These module are selected from five modules which are offered across the Spring and Autumn Trimesters. All lectures are in the morning of weekdays and labs in the afternoon. Remote lectures & labs are available for those who cannot attend in person*.

(*Please note however, some attendance may be required as some modules may have in-person exams.) 

Individual Modules:
For students that are not in a position to take on the full programme a number of the modules on this programme can be taken individually via the Advance Centre  catalogue. Most modules are online so that you can fit study around your work and life.

Module Information:
Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

About This Course

The learning outcomes are as follows:

  1. familiarity with and knowledge of power system dynamic modelling and control of power systems with high shares of renewable energy resources;
  2. knowledge of state-of-art numerical methods for the stability analysis of power systems;
  3. knowledge of state-of-art optimization methods for the technical and economical operation of power systems;
  4. the ability to communicate effectively in the fields of power system modelling, control, optimization and stability analysis;
  5. the ability to learn independently. 

The programme represents an opportunity for those who have previous experience, or are currently employed, in the electrical engineering sector and wish to enhance their knowledge in the fields of electrical energy system security, control, stability analysis, resilience, renewable energy, converter-interfaced generation and low-inertia systems.

This  knowldge will be of particular  interest to  companies such as EirGrid, ESB, SSE, Energia, Arup, Enel X and PremiumPower into the future.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Option Modules: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40110 Renewable Energy Systems Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Option Modules: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40550 Power System Dynamics and Control Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Option Modules: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40580 Optimisation Techniques for Engineers Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Option Modules: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40090 Power System Design Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Option Modules: Students are recommended to take a minimum of one of the following 5-credit modules per trimester from the list below to ensure a balanced workload. ***Students must take 20 credits of modules within the 2-year registration period (up to four trimesters) to be eligible for award of this Professional Diploma. ***Students wishing to complete the programme within 1 year (two trimesters) should take two 5-credit modules per trimester to ensure a balanced workload.
EEEN40120 Applications of Power Electronics Spring  5

The Climate Action Plan launched in 2019 by the Irish Government defines a new growth strategy and roadmap to decarbonise the energy sector and renovate buildings and transportation to help cut energy bills and usage. The recent European Green Deal goes in the same direction and will have several implications for Ireland, in particular for the electrical power system.

Prof. Federico Milano​, Programme Director

"Electric energy is a basic component of the productive process in any economic sector. The security, stability and quality of the electrical energy supply are key components in maintaining the productivity of industrial countries. A combination of technical innovation and the increasing presence of renewable and non-conventional generation in modern electrical networks all over the world highlights the necessity of studying several aspects related to the modelling, regulation, and dynamic of power systems.

UCD has a long and well-known tradition in Electrical Engineering and offers a range of high-quality modules on electric power systems as part of its degree programmes. Traditionally, these modules have only been available to full-time students, although the content is of great interest to graduates working in industry. This new Professional Diploma targets specifically this category of students and includes a selection of modules that address the most urgent societal and technical challenges, such as emission reduction, efficient control and resilience, of the electric grid."

Professional Diploma in Power System Analysis (T361) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 2170
nonEU    fee per year - € 6650

***Fees are subject to change

Applicants should hold a NFQ Level 8 (or International equivalent ) BE degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Professional Diploma in Power System Analysis:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T359
Professional Diploma in Power System Analysis
Professional Diploma

Part-Time
Commencing January 2025
Graduate Taught
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
T361
Professional Diploma in Power System Analysis
Professional Diploma

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
* you can change options at the top of the page