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