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We are


Cal Poly Wind Power,


a team of wind-energy-loving students representing California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo.

A group photo of the Cal Poly Wind Power team in 2024.
The team enjoys a day at the beach to celebrate submitting deliverables.
Cal Poly Wind Power sub-team members test a foundation prototype.
The power systems and electronics sub-team works on their subsystems.
Cal Poly Wind Power team members at competition.
Team members pose for a photo after delivering CDR presentations.
Outreach sub-team members present at competition.
Power sub-team members prepare their system for competition.
Team leads pose with first place trophies from competition.

Our team is built with a diverse group of people from an array of different backgrounds and interests but united in our enthusiasm for wind energy and sustainable solutions.

We take pride in our interdisciplinary membership as it lets us analyze issues and approach problem solving from multiple perspectives.

Furthermore, as our curricula strongly feature hands-on learning, many of our members are experienced and comfortable with the practical and technical aspects of competition.

Regardless of the challenge, our team is grounded, strong-minded, dedicated, determined, and persistent.

Hello 

subteams

Structures

A team member assembles a prototype linkage mechanism for the turbine blades.

We design and manufacture the competition turbine's mechanical components. This includes the foundation, tower, nacelle packaging, shaft, and pitching mechanism.

Blades

Early prototype wind turbine blades are tested for durability by driving with the turbine on a car.

We design the turbine blades through theoretical analysis and hands-on testing. We compare airfoils and use CAE (computer-aided engineering) tools to develop a blade that captures as much energy from the wind as possible.

Power

Power team members make adjustments in the controls box.

We develop the electrical systems including but not limited to the controllers, communications, and power electronics. We use circuit simulation (SPICE) and ECAD software (Altium) for rapid prototyping and testing different designs.

Business

The business team presents their project development plan to competition judges.

We work with the siting team to create a project development plan for an offshore wind farm. We conduct a cost of energy and cash flow analysis for the project to determine how and where we develop the farm, and we make financial projections for our site based on variable and fixed costs.

Siting

CA map of energy project sites in the Great Lakes region.

We research, plan, and design a full-scale offshore wind farm in a competition-designated region. After looking into environmental factors, permitting, and wind resources, we draft an initial wind farm design using siting software like ArcGIS and Furow.

Outreach

The outreach team takes photos to keep social media followers up to date with competition progress.

We facilitate contact with representatives for industry spotlights at general meetings, organize events for the Cal Poly and SLO community to educate and generate excitement about wind power, and manage our club's social media, website, and campus presence.

We 

❤️

 our 

partners