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. Read more about the teams selected to participate this year.
Elements of the 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.
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.
Education in the News
Collegiate Wind Competition Photos
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
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
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
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
The Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge first, second, and third place trophies.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
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
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
The Virginia Tech team adjusts their turbine during the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Competitors listen in to a safety presentation as the Collegiate Wind Competition 2019 Technical Challenge starts off.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
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
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
Third place overall finishers California State University Maritime Academy receive their trophy.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
Second place overall finishers Virginia Tech receive their trophy.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
First place overall finishers Pennsylvania State University receive their trophy.
Photo courtesy of Werner Slocum, NREL
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