The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) 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 energy industry workforce.
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About the 2023 Competition
DOE has announced the colleges and universities selected to participate in Phase 1 of the 2023 CWC.
The 2023 CWC is scheduled to take place in May 2023 in conjunction with American Clean Power Association’s CLEANPOWER 2023 Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Find out how you can get involved in the competition.
Elements of the Competition
Turbine Prototype Contest & Turbine Testing Contest
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.
Project Development Contest
Research wind resource data, transmission infrastructure, and environmental factors to create a site plan and financial analysis for a hypothetical wind farm.
Connection Creation Contest
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.
News
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30 teams will participate in Phase 1 of the 2023 U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition, which will take place during the first half of the 2022-2023 school year.
July 12, 2022
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DOE convened universities and wind energy experts from around the country in the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC). Kansas State University rose above 11 other competing teams to claim first place in the annual event.
May 19, 2022
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Twelve competing teams and four learn-along teams of college students from across the United States are gearing up to present their wind energy achievements at the 2022 Collegiate Wind Competition.
April 11, 2022
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Interested in joining the next generation of wind energy industry professionals? Apply today to participate in the 2023 Collegiate Wind Competition! We’re accepting applications through June 20, 2022.
March 30, 2022
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In March 2022, the Collegiate Wind Competition organizers will implement a new application process and timeline for the 2023 competition. This new process is intended to broaden the reach and impact of the CWC.
September 29, 2021
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Students from 13 universities represent the next generation of wind and clean energy professionals.
June 14, 2021
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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 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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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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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
Photos
1/22
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
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