The U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students from a variety of programs to offer a unique solution to a complex wind energy project.

The California State University Maritime Academy beat out 11 other teams to claim top honors at the Department of Energy’s Collegiate Wind Competition held at WINDPOWER 2018.

This competition was 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

Learn more about all of this year’s competitors here.