Cal Poly Wind Power Club
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California
Faculty Advisor
Andrew Kean
Student Leads
Trevor Ortega
Nora Riedinger
The Cal Poly 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition Team includes (from left to right) in the top row: Connor Hurban, Sonny Quinday, Izik Hingeley, Andrew Cervantes, Christian Freese, Cody Firman, Alex Liu, and Luke Oliver; and in the bottom row: Kalel Gadduang, Lani Nguyen, Clayton Lahodny, Keegan Leonard, Liv Hoffsis, Trevor Ortega, Nora Riedinger, Ella Blaney, Hailey Ybarra, and Indigo Garcia.
Follow This Team
Instagram: @calpolywindpower
Our Cal Poly Wind Power Club was founded in 2016. We competed in our first U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) in 2021—and won third place overall that same year! Through CWC, we have learned to embrace our school's motto, "Learn by doing," sustain a strong culture, retain dedicated members year after year, and form connections with our local community.
For the 2024 CWC, we are developing a prototype wind turbine that meets our performance goals, designing an offshore wind farm that can withstand the harsh climate in the U.S. Great Lakes, and planning and hosting events that grow and unite our community around wind power. Because our school is located next to the new Morro Bay Wind Farm, we have a unique opportunity to shape the local community’s views on wind turbines by attending open forums and showing our support for the project.
We plan to recruit new members and engage club alumni and industry members to share their expertise in wind energy.