The participants of the CASE-IN championship, with the support of energy companies, bring Russia closer to technological sovereignty

The competitions of future power engineers at the International Engineering CASE-IN Championship are traditionally one of the most massive and are held in a fierce competition. In the XIV season of the Presidential Platform project "Russia – the Land of Opportunities", students once again enlisted the support of two major companies and prepared promising solutions for the development of the industry. 

The Electric Power Industry area of the Student League is overseen by JSC System Operator of the Unified Energy System and PJSC ROSSETI: their leading specialists annually offer students to solve unique cases, and then evaluate the developments and determine the winners. Companies select talented young people at the championship who are not afraid of complex digital systems and are able to think one step ahead.

In 2026, based on the main theme of the championship "Technologies of the Future", the largest energy companies have prepared interesting tasks.: PJSC ROSSETI asked students to develop projects for the construction of a high–voltage power transmission line, and JSC System Operator of the Unified Energy System to find sites for the construction of new hydroelectric power plants.

Student teams presented their solutions to employers during the qualifying stages and semi-finals of the CASE-IN. Based on the results of a vivid competitive struggle, 28 teams were identified that received tickets to the finals and will present their final ideas to the industry community on May 21, 2026 in Moscow. 

The final solution of the case from the System Operator will be presented by 15 teams from the following universities: National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, National Research University "MEI" and its branch in Smolensk, North Caucasus Federal University, Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Zabaikalsky State University, Samara State Technical University and its branch in Syzran, Saratov State Technical University named after Yuri Gagarin, Kazan State Power Engineering University, Amur State University, St. Petersburg Mining University of Empress Catherine II and Donetsk National Technical University.

The members of the Elektrobat team (Gagarin State Technical University) noted that the proposed case was not just a learning task for them, but an opportunity to work on a real engineering problem. They especially remembered the strict limitations on the reliability of the energy system and the need to take into account the interests of key industrial players. 

"The interdisciplinary assignment format allowed the team to look at the problem comprehensively: to try on the roles of not only energy specialists, but also economists, environmentalists and managers, which brought the work as close as possible to the real conditions of the industry., – said the captain of the team Vsevolod Chelnokov. –  The high level of expertise and the practical focus of the tasks have convinced us that we are working with the current challenges of the industry. We would like to thank the organizers, partners and experts for creating a professional environment that allows them to immerse themselves in solving complex engineering problems." 

The finalists note the strategic importance of the energy sector, which determines the development of the economy and the quality of life of people. They expect bright emotions, new experiences and the opportunity to exchange approaches with other teams from the final. Success for them will be not so much the first place, but a meaningful discussion with the expert community.

The introduction of future technologies has a long-term effect both for the country's energy sector and for the development of the state as a whole, the captain of the FaraDon team is confident Mikhail Kiyutin. "While working on the case, our team delved into some issues and nuances that are likely to greatly affect the real state of affairs in the near future. Organizing the team's work on a case is certainly the most important aspect for developing managerial skills," he stressed. "We plan to represent our region and university well in the finals, and we expect a tough fight and a lot of positive emotions."

For the Energovector team (NCFU), the main indicator of success will be the recognition of rivals and experts. "Reaching the finals is already a huge achievement, and competing with the best energy engineering students in Russia is the main reward, regardless of the final results", – The captain of the team confessed Yaroslav Lits. 

Students participate in the finals for the first time and feel additional responsibility for the result. They expect fair competition, lots of interesting solutions from their peers, and useful advice from experts from the decisive competition.  "Our goal is to win a place in the first final, the team is very motivated and has already proved a lot. The most important step lies ahead. May the strongest man win in Moscow!", – Yaroslav Litz summarized.

The finalists of the case from PJSC ROSSETI were 13 teams representing Omsk State Technical University, National Research Technological University MISIS, Altai State Technical University named after I.I. Polzunov, Sayano-Shushensk branch of Siberian Federal University, Kuzbass State Technical University named after I.I. Polzunov. Gorbachev, Northeastern Federal University named after M.K. Ammosov, Saratov State University of Genetics, Biotechnology and Engineering named after N.I. Vavilov, Tyumen Industrial University, Ivanovo State Power Engineering University named after V.I. Lenin, Omsk State University of Railway Communications, Russian State Agrarian University of the Ministry of Agriculture named after K.A. Timiryazev, Belgorod State Technological University V.G. Shukhov, North Caucasus Mining and Metallurgical Institute (State Technological University).

The award for the champions and prize-winners of the Electric Power Industry field will be internships with the possibility of further employment in companies, as well as benefits for admission to master's and postgraduate studies at leading specialized universities.

However, regardless of the outcome of the competition, one thing is clear: the participants of the CASE-IN championship are bringing Russia closer to technological sovereignty and are ready to identify key vectors of energy development.