CU Boulder Wind Energy Team
Team Name:
CU Boulder Wind Energy Team
University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado
Why this Competition?
The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) Wind Energy Team is very passionate about renewable energy and the challenge of combating climate change. Participating in the U.S. Department of Energy 2021 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) as a learn-along school allows students to utilize their engineering skills while sharpening their professional skills within the wind energy industry.
Game Plan
As a learn-along team participating in the CWC for the first time, the CU Boulder Wind Energy Team will develop a functioning wind turbine prototype, present a comprehensive report for wind farm project development, and create connections within the wind energy industry and the university’s community to promote wind energy. These activities will help each team member build a greater understanding of all sectors of wind energy.
CU Boulder Wind Energy Team
The CU Boulder Wind Energy Team conducted a broad survey of the contests, designs, technologies, and reports of past CWC teams and supplemented this information with additional research and consultations with technical mentors and professors. The team is using this information to design a wind turbine for the Turbine Prototype and Turbine Testing contests.
The eight-person team is divided between the Turbine Prototype/Turbine Testing and Project Development contests, which enables individuals to develop expertise in specific topic areas while also encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration.
Team Strengths
The CU Boulder Wind Energy Team comprises eight fourth-year students with an emphasis in either electrical or mechanical engineering. Each member of the team has proficient experience in design, project management, and critical thinking. The team also has valuable connections within the university that will support each project component.
As the team represents each team member’s final undergraduate capstone project, CWC participation is also each student’s top educational priority.
Team Hurdles
A prominent challenge that all students and faculty members face is working remotely. The coronavirus pandemic has posed a few challenges in manufacturing and fabrication, holding community outreach events, and building a team dynamic. Risk management is more important than ever, as several uncertainties have been introduced to the project.
The team also recognizes that it features little academic breadth, and the Project Development and Connection Creation contests require backgrounds outside of engineering.
Competition Objectives
The team’s overall objective is to better prepare each member to work in the renewable energy industry by networking with industry contacts, applying critical thinking skills, and conducting professional presentations. In addition, the team wants to generate enthusiasm for and awareness of renewable energy and, through future CWC involvement, offer a way for students to become more involved with wind energy.
As a first-year, learn-along team in the CWC, the team aims to advance the CU Boulder Wind Energy Team for future competitions by providing a baseline of design and testing and compiling extensive resources, documentation, and recommendations for future CU Boulder teams competing in the CWC.
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Facebook: @cuengineering | @cuboulder
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LinkedIn: CU Boulder Mechanical Engineering | University of Colorado Boulder
Twitter: @CUEngineering | @CUBoulder
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This content was submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy by the team.