NC Renewable Energy Challenge
2025 North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge
March 22, 2025
With funding from the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program and in partnership with KidWind and Jennette’s Pier, the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) hosts the day-long North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge annually on the ECU Outer Banks Campus in Wanchese. Competing students must engineer an alternative energy device and compete against each other to create the most efficient design. The challenge strives to increase student interest in green technology and promote innovation, and it fosters 21st-century skills that better prepare students for the growing renewable energy industry.
This year’s event will include wind and underwater turbine competitions with upper elementary & middle (grades 4-8), and high school (grades 9-12) divisions for each. The competition aims to increase engineering solutions for the alternative energies available in North Carolina. Funding is available for basic competition materials and for travel to CSI. If teams wish to have funding for either, please contact Parker Murphy and John McCord.
The winning teams will receive cash prizes, and the top team(s) in each wind division will be invited to the World KidWind competition held in May 2025.
Interested in learning more before forming a team?
Plan to join us for an info session on Jan. 16, 2025, starting at 4 PM.
Additional Information & Rulebooks
A brief presentation was recorded last year for teachers, parents, and students interested in competing in the 2024 North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge. All information is pertinent to the 2025 NC Renewable Energy Challenge with the following amendments:
- The 2025 Challenge will occur on Saturday, March 22.
- The 2025 World KidWind Challenge will be held May 18-21 in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Lunch will be provided for Challenge participants, including coaches and volunteers, ONLY.
2025 Wind and 2024 (update coming soon) Ocean Currents Rulebooks
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
