07/08/2026
USAEE Virtual Case Competition — Register by Monday, July 13
Competition open to student teams
The registration deadline for the 2026 USAEE Virtual Case Competition is Monday, July 13.
The case competition a one-of-a-kind opportunity for student teams to apply their knowledge of economics, engineering, and policy analysis.
Competition participants demonstrate their skills and ideas for potential employers, contribute to solving challenges in the field of energy economics, and compete for monetary prizes. Teams of two to five students may register via the competition entry portal:
This year's case problem will focus on the following topic: Ensuring reliable electric service in the context of increasing demand and decarbonization commitments raises important questions regarding electricity affordability: how it should be defined, how it should be measured, and how it should be balanced against other policy objectives, including reliability, equitable rates and service, economic development, and environmental goals. In this case competition, students will serve as independent energy economists advising Virginia regulators and policymakers on these critical issues. Participating teams will work on the designated case problem over a period of four weeks and submit a written report detailing their methods and solution to USAEE.
Finalist teams will be invited to attend the 43rd USAEE North American Conference — for which finalists' registration fees will be waived — and receive their prizes at the annual USAEE awards luncheon. The conference will be held November 15-18, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Other key competition dates:
- Case packets will be distributed to registered teams on Thursday, July 16.
- Teams will be required to submit their written reports by Friday, August 14.
- After the finalists are announced on Friday, September 11, those teams will present their work at a late September virtual event.
- Finalists will receive their prizes at the awards luncheon at the USAEE/IAEE North American Conference on Tuesday, November 17.
Prizes:
- First place team: $3,500
- Second place team: $2,500
The competition is open to students from all over the world. Teams need not be USAEE or IAEE members to register and submit an entry. Any combination of students is permitted (mixed majors, mixed undergrad/grad, mixed universities). Additional competition details can be found on the registration form. All inquiries regarding the competition may be directed to 2026 USAEE Case Competition Chair Julia Frayer at julia@londoneconomics.com.
Support for the case competition, including prizes, is provided by the new competition sponsor, THE NEW YORK INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR, INC. (NYISO). In addition, a NYISO representative will serve as a judge on the case competition evaluation committee.
NYISO a not-for-profit corporation responsible for operating New York's bulk electricity grid, administering the state's competitive wholesale electricity markets, conducting comprehensive long-term planning for the state’s electric power system, and advancing the technological infrastructure of the electric system serving the Empire State.
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