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 multi-faceted elements highlighted below; providing each student with real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce.

About the 2021 Competition

The 2021 Collegiate Wind Competition will be held as a virtual event in June 2021. Thirteen competing teams and two learn-along teams will present their work to a remote panel of judges via webinar.

About the 2022 Competition

DOE has announced the 11 teams selected to participate in the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition at AWEA CLEANPOWER 2022 in San Antonio, Texas.

Elements of the Competition

Contestants from the 2019 The Collegiate Wind Competition

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.

Contestants from the 2019 The Collegiate Wind Competition

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.

CWC participant gives a presentation.

Connect With the Wind Industry, Your Community, and Local Media

As part of the new Connection Creation Contest, you’ll partner with wind industry professionals, raise awareness of wind energy in your local community, and work with local media to promote your team’s accomplishments.

Learn more.

News

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2021 Collegiate Wind Competition Teams Prepare to Go Virtual
This June, 13 teams of college students from across the United States will showcase their wind energy achievements at the 2021 CWC.
March 23, 2021
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DOE Announces Teams to Compete in the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition
DOE announces 11 teams selected to compete in the 2022 Collegiate wind competition, where students will design, build, and test a model wind turbine.
February 18, 2021
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CWC Alum’s Industry Connections Open Door to Career in Wind Energy
2020 James Madison University grad Jamie Mears is putting her degree and her Collegiate Wind Competition experience to work at Ørsted Onshore.
January 14, 2021
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Collegiate Wind Competition Veterans Share Tips for Success in the Age of Social Distancing
Many students participating in the 2021 CWC will be meeting with their teammates virtually and building their competition turbines from home.
December 8, 2020
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Collegiate Wind Competition Photos

Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Photos

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The team from California State University Maritime Academy stands in front of the tunnel as they test their model wind turbine.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
2/22
Members of the University of Wisconsin – Madison team make small adjustments to their turbine as they prepare for a tunnel test.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
3/22
Students from the Virginia Tech celebrate after one of their tunnel tests during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
4/22
Participants in the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge Siting Contest present their research to the judges and their peers from other universities.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
5/22
The Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge first, second, and third place trophies.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
6/22
The internal structure of the Texas Tech University model wind turbine as the team gets it ready for testing in the tunnel at the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
7/22
Seattle University carrying their model wind turbine to the next tunnel test through the May snow in Boulder, Colorado, during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
8/22
The Virginia Tech team adjusts their turbine during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
9/22
Competitors in the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge listen in to a presentation by industry professionals on career paths and opportunities in wind energy project development.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
10/22
Students from the California State University Maritime Academy team read the electricity output of their model wind turbine during the final tunnel test.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
11/22
A student from the California State University, Chico shares her research for the Siting Contest during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
12/22
Students from James Madison University make final adjustments to their turbine as they prepare for the last tunnel test during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
13/22
Three students from Pennsylvania State University present their research on siting a wind plant to a panel of judges.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
14/22
A group of students from Northern Arizona University celebrate following their final turbine test during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
15/22
Students from Virginia Tech watch their turbine metrics as they run a tunnel test in the second-generation wind tunnel.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
16/22
The Iowa State University team present on the technical design of their turbine to a panel of judges at the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
17/22
Competitors listen in to a safety presentation as the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge starts off.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
18/22
A student from James Madison University installs his wind turbine into the tunnel for a test during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
19/22
Students from Iowa State University make small adjustments to the blades of their wind turbine before a tunnel test.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
20/22
Third place overall finishers California State University Maritime Academy receive their trophy.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
21/22
Second place overall finishers Virginia Tech receive their trophy.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
22/22
First place overall finishers Pennsylvania State University receive their trophy.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL

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