CHICAGO (May 10, 2018) – After three days of the Department of Energy’s Collegiate Wind Competition held at the American Wind Energy Association’s annual WINDPOWER Conference, The California State University Maritime Academy beat out 11 other teams to claim top honors at the 3rd biennial Collegiate Wind Competition.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Collegiate Wind Competition is a program created to provide undergraduates with real-world skills needed to enter tomorrow’s renewable energy workforce. Competitors were challenged with a number of tasks, including developing and delivering a business plan, siting a wind plant, and building and testing a wind turbine.

“The students participating in the Collegiate Wind Competition represent the best and brightest that our nation has to offer,” said Tim Unruh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power at DOE. “As the U.S. wind industry continues to grow, the Collegiate Wind Competition provides unique, hands-on training and an opportunity to help launch the careers of the next generation of wind energy professionals.”

A panel of wind industry experts named The California State University Maritime Academy the overall winner of the competition with the highest cumulative scores in all categories. The team’s turbine will be displayed at DOE headquarters in Washington, D.C., in the coming months.

The Pennsylvania State University came in second place and Kansas State University came in third. Below are the winners of each contest:

Turbine Testing Award: The California State University Maritime Academy

Technical Design Award: Virginia Tech

Business Plan Award: James Madison University

Siting Challenge Award: University of Wisconsin—Madison

People’s Choice Award: Universidad del Turabo

Resiliency Award: Universidad del Turabo

For more information on the next round of the competition, check out energy.gov/CWC, or take a look at photos from the competition on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/190253371722511/.