On April 4, 2025, the Belarusian State University of Transport (BelSUT) hosted the qualifying stage of the International Engineering Championship "CASE-IN" in the field of "Energy." The main topic of the direction was the development of technical measures for building a power transmission line from a large power plant to an energy-deficient area, utilizing either alternating or direct current technologies, with both technical and economic justification.

The partner for this direction was PJSC "Federal Grid Company" — PJSC "Rosseti." Participants were assigned the following tasks:
• Analyze options for constructing a 500 km-long overhead power line (OPL) for transmitting 1 GW of power using both alternating and direct current. For direct current, develop options using thyristor and transistor schemes (modular multilevel converters with half-bridge and full-bridge configurations).
• Calculate capital expenditures for building an alternating current OPL (500 or 750 kV) over 500 km to transmit 1 GW of active power, as well as a single substation (500 or 750 kV) in the energy-deficient region.
• Calculate capital expenditures for constructing a ±400 kV HVDC line over 500 km to transmit 1 GW of power, along with two converter substations (400 kV) in the same region.
• Conduct calculations of operational and time costs for building both alternating and direct current OPLs. Compare and evaluate options based on the life cycle costs of the energy facility.
• Provide a description of HVDC applications (in terms of distance and power parameters).

Develop criteria for assessing the efficiency of direct current transmission and rank the OPL construction options based on various criteria, among other tasks.

Participants: BelSUT was represented by four teams, while Sukhoi State Technical University (GSTU) entered three teams. Students from the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation (Moscow), Department of Sectoral Markets (Economics and Finance of the Fuel and Energy Complex), also expressed interest in participating. Evaluation and Opening Remarks: The results were assessed by a panel of six experts, including five representatives from BelSUT and one from GSTU.

The event began with opening remarks by Alexander Alexandrovich Yerofeev, Vice-Rector for Research of BelSUT, and Mikhail Yuryevich Stradomsky, Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists of BelSUT. They emphasized the significance of technological innovations for the energy sector.

Presentations and Results: The teams presented their projects to the panel and audience, highlighting modern energy transmission technologies using alternating and direct current. They proposed schematic and structural solutions, emphasizing innovation, practical value, and economic efficiency, including payback calculations.

After two hours of project reviews, discussions, and Q&A with the panel, a short break was taken. Following the break, the results were announced:
• First place: "BoltykiTM" (BelSUT).
• Second place: "TEK22–1" (Moscow).
• Third place: "ElektroFusion" (GSTU).
Prepared by: Associate Professor of the Department of "Power Supply," G.I. Seliverstov April 4, 2025.