WE ARE RICE WIND ENERGY
An interdisciplinary team of Rice University students competing in the annual U.S. Department of Energy
Collegiate Wind Competition.
We undertake three meaningful challenges: building a model wind turbine, developing a full-scale wind farm, and performing sustainability-focused outreach.
BUILD A Scale WIND TURBINE
Wind Turbine Engineering
Every year, Rice Wind Energy designs and builds a fully-functional scale wind turbine to compete in the Collegiate Wind Competition. Learn more about how we approach this unique design challenge through our four engineering subteams.
Mechanical
Building the nacelle, rotor assembly, tower, and foundation of the turbine.
Blades
Designing, prototyping, and optimizing the blades of the turbine.
Controls
Building the circuitry, software control logic, and power systems of the turbine.
Generator
Designing, building, and testing the 3-phase electrical generator of the wind turbine.
PLAN AND DESIGN A WIND FARM
Project Development
Learn more about how the Project Development subteam evaluates factors such as available wind resources, environmental impact, legislative policy, and economic viability to design and finance a real-world wind farm for the Collegiate Wind Competition.
LOCATION SITING
Consider real-world factors to choose a logistically and economically viable location for the wind farm.
IMPACT MITIGATION
Develop plans to ensure the wind farm does not disrupt local communities and the environment.
TURBINE SELECTION
Size, select, and simulate real-world turbines to find the optimal solution for logistical feasibility and power output.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Evaluate expenditures, market conditions, and more to ensure the project is financially viable.
perform sustainability-focused outreach
Connection Creation
Learn more about how the Connection Creation subteam raises awareness of the importance of sustainability, inspiring engagement and related action towards advancing the energy transition.
Network with professionals
Engage with industry professionals to connect the team to real-world opportunities.
community engagement
Give back to the community through activities such as educational visits to schools, campus booths, and more.
sustainability focused events
Host events to help promote sustainability and spread awareness of the importance of the energy transition.
recruitment strategies
Learn how to utilize social media and effective communication strategy to improve the reach of the organization.
Learn More About Each Sub-team
Click to learn more about how each engineering sub-team contributes towards Rice Wind Energy’s wind turbine.
Click to learn more about the incredible information-gathering and decision-making processes behind Project Development.
Click to learn more about how the Connection Creation team is conducting widespread sustainability-focused outreach.
About the U.S. Department of Energy
Collegiate Wind Competition
Held at the annual ACP CLEANPOWER Conference, the U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition is designed to prepare students for jobs in the wind and renewable energy workforce.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Structured to closely resemble the actual wind industry, the CWC provides students with meaningful real-world experiences in wind energy technology, project development, finance, communications, and outreach.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
Through the CWC, students regularly interact with wind industry professionals. Further, the ACP CLEANPOWER Conference is one of the largest clean energy-focused events in the world, with hundreds of companies present.
Support
Rice Wind Energy
Stay Connected
Connect with and follow us on all our networking and social media platforms