Collegiate Wind Competition

Congratulations to the 2019 Winner, Pennsylvania State University

The U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students from a variety of programs to offer a unique solution to a complex wind energy project using the two multi-faceted elements highlighted below; providing each student with real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce.

About the 2020 Competition

The Collegiate Wind Competition 2020 will be held at AWEA WINDPOWER in Denver, Colorado, in June 2020.

Elements of the Competition

Students work on their wind turbines in their team booths at the Collegiate Wind Competition 2018, in Chicago on May 8, 2018.
Werner Slocum / DOE/ NREL

Design, Build, and Test a Wind Turbine

Design, build, and present a unique, wind-driven power system based on market research and test the wind turbine in an on-site wind tunnel. Learn more.

Plan and Financially Analyze a Wind Plant

Design a hypothetical utility wind farm that maximizes energy production and balances environmental and community impacts. Learn more.

Students work on their siting plans for wind turbines in their team booths at the Collegiate Wind Competition 2018 n Chicago on May 9, 2018.
Werner Slocum / DOE/ NREL

Education in the News

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Penn State Takes Top Prize at 2019 Collegiate Wind Competition Technical Challenge
May 14, 2019
Announcement of the winners of the 2019 Collegiate Wind Competition Technical Challenge.
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CWC Opens Doors for New Grads Seeking Jobs in Wind
March 21, 2019
The competition includes two multi-faceted challenges: design, build, and test a wind turbine; and plan and financially analyze a wind plant.
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Collegiate Wind Competition Provides Students with Opportunities
March 15, 2019
This competition challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students to create unique solutions to complex wind energy projects.
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CWC Wind Tunnel Engineered to Last
March 6, 2019
In 2018, a team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory designed and built the CWC's second-generation wind tunnel.
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2020 Collegiate Wind Competition Participants Announced
February 20, 2019
Announcement of the 2020 Collegiate Wind Competition Teams
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Collegiate Wind Competition Informational Webinar Recording Available
November 1, 2018
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) held an informational webinar on Monday, October 22 to discuss the Collegiate Wind Competition.
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National Renewable Energy Laboratory Releases Request for Proposal (RFP) for Collegiate Wind Competition 2020
October 10, 2018
NREL has issued a Request for Proposal for colleges and universities interested in participating in the DOE Collegiate Wind Competition 2020.
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The California State University Maritime Academy Blows Away Competition at 3rd Biennial Collegiate Wind Competition
May 11, 2018
More than 200 competitors integrated real-world engineering test scenarios to create the best wind turbine design.
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Meet the Collegiate Wind Competition 2018 Teams: Part 2
May 3, 2018
Twelve talented teams from across the United States will put their wind turbines to the test at the 2018 Collegiate Wind Competition.
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5 Facts About the Collegiate Wind Competition
May 3, 2018
Collegiate Wind Competition helps undergraduates learn the real-world skills they need to grow America's energy economy.
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Collegiate Wind Competition Photos

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