Trident Wind Collaborative

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Faculty Advisers

Stephen Keith Holland, hollansk@jmu.edu

Jonathan Miles, milesjj@jmu.edu

Student Leads

Edwin Clamp, clampeg@jmu.edu

Alexandra Davis, davi22al@dukes.jmu.edu

Vision and Mission

Every member of James Madison University’s Trident Wind Collaborative feels passionate about the environment and renewable energy. Our vision for clean energy in the future is to shift the global dependence from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind—particularly the growing offshore wind energy industry.

Participating in the U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) provides us with useful wind industry experience, including working with an interdisciplinary team, making meaningful connections with wind industry members, and developing critical skills for careers in the industry.

Background

The 2022 event marks the sixth time James Madison University has participated in the CWC. We won the Project Development Contest in 2020 and the Business Plan Award in 2018. Nineteen interdisciplinary students represent our 2022 team and their fields of study include engineering, integrated sciences and technology, history, and business. The major roles within the team focus on project management, rules and regulations compliance, deliverable preparation, research, and communications.

Sixteen students wearing medical masks in a research laboratory. Some are seated; others stand behind them. Most of the people are wearing shirts with the James Madison University logo.

Top row (left to right): Gavin Wilkerson, Ryan Messinger, Steven Podrasky, Colby Schneider, and Brian Sweet; Second row: Garrett Downs, Matthew Porchetta, Liam McCracken, and Isabella Lindblad. Third row: Nicole Peterson, Kayleigh Baxter-Gagen, Alexandra Davis, and Connor Newman. Fourth row: Robert Quinones, Tyler Raniszewski, and Ban Mansoor. Not pictured: Joshua Bautch, Jackson Schiel, and Kendall Wisniewski.

Photo courtesy of Trident Wind Collaborative, James Madison University

Strategy

Our interdisciplinary team gives us a diverse set of talents to tackle each deliverable's unique challenges. Our team plans to complete all deliverables ahead of schedule to accommodate any delays. A working group manager monitors everyone’s progress to ensure accountability.  In addition, the team’s location in Virginia, which is home to a growing offshore wind energy industry, offers us access to individuals in the region who have offshore wind energy knowledge. For example, Bill Murray of Dominion Energy advised us to focus on the connection between land-based wind energy power plants and power grids.

We are planning to follow lessons learned from the 2021 James Madison University CWC team. These include starting subsystem integration as soon as possible and taking advantage of 3D-printed prototypes, which are free and quick to make at the university. While the team’s recruiting strategy has historically been verbal marketing, our team has shifted to advertising this competition to students on campus. Two classes facilitate this competition: Management 472 and Integrated Sciences and Technology 480, which meet on Mondays to discuss progress made toward each deliverable.

Follow Us

This content was submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy by the team. Find more information on CWC 2022.