Collegiate Wind Competition

The Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC)

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) launched the CWC in 2014. This competition invites interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students to:

• 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. 
• Research wind resource data, transmission infrastructure, and environmental factors to create a site plan and financial analysis for a hypothetical wind farm.
• Partner with wind industry professionals, raise awareness of wind energy in their communities, and work with local media to promote their team’s accomplishments.

By participating in the competition, schools and students connect with wind energy experts and industry contacts, enhancing schools’ curriculum offerings and strengthening students’ professional networks. Watch the 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition Informational Webinar to learn more. 

General Competition Timeline

For a detailed competition timeline, please visit the Timeline tab. 

Each Spring: CWC organizers begin accepting applications for the next year’s competition. Interested schools fill out an application to participate in CWC during the upcoming school year.   
Each Summer: CWC organizers select the teams who will participate in the competition during the first half of the upcoming school year. Project funds are available to the participating teams.  
Each Fall: Teams prepare their first set of submissions. 
Each Winter: CWC organizers narrow the teams to the finalist teams who will participate during the second half of the school year. 
Each Winter and Spring: Teams prepare their final submissions, conduct final turbine testing, and present their work to a panel of wind energy experts at the final CWC event.

Competition Goals

The CWC brings together diverse, multidisciplinary groups of undergraduate students to: 

• Offer unique solutions to complex wind energy challenges
• Explore wind energy’s role in a future power grid supported by 100% renewable energy
• Build the skills and industry connections that will help them prepare for careers in the wind energy sector and renewable energy industry.

By helping prepare students for careers in the wind energy sector and renewable energy industry, the CWC supports the nation’s goals of 100% clean electricity by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050.

Teams can be comprised of undergraduate students from:  

• A single four-year college or university in the United States  
• A four-year college or university in the United States as the lead institution partnering with a two-year institution in the United States, such as a community college  
• A four-year college or university in the United States as the lead institution partnering with an international institution, with both institutions being represented at the final CWC event
  • International teams will not be eligible to receive support funding from the U.S. Department of Energy or the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and must provide their own support.  
• Teams should strive to include a diverse range of academic disciplines, including but not limited to:
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Marketing
  • Communications
  • Environmental and Public Policy
  • Social Sciences
• Teams should also strive to include students from groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Explore the CWC 2024 Rules and Requirements to learn more.

Follow this prize to stay informed about CWC updates, news, and events.

Contact us directly at Collegiate.Wind@nrel.gov with any additional questions.