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Team Story

Team Name, institution name, city, and state   

Cyclone Cowboys

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, Oklahoma

Your faculty advisor and student lead

Faculty Advisor: Professor Nate Lannan

Student Lead: Sahir Virani

Why is your team participating in the CWC?

We are participating because wind energy is a vital component to the overall power supply in Oklahoma. In 2021, 40% of electricity generation in the state was powered by wind energy, a figure which is increasing annually (US EIA). Therefore, we want to learn about how wind energy is generated and how it can be improved and expanded.

What is your vision for a clean energy future?

We believe that individual communities should have the resources and knowledge to decide what clean energy solutions work best for them. Diverse communities will require a diverse array of solutions based on factors such as geography, safety, and existing infrastructure.

Describe your project, objectives, and game plan.

Our project involved designing and testing a small wind turbine, planning an offshore wind farm, and developing an outreach program for the group. We have selected leaders for each subsection of the competition and established a project management team to make work completion more efficient.

What steps are your team taking to ensure a diverse and inclusive team?

Our team has recruited students from many different types of engineering and non-engineering disciplines, giving the team a vast array of areas in which members can apply their specific knowledge. Cyclone Cowboys has also been formed into a campus-wide club which allows for greater exposure to potential new team members who are passionate about wind energy and wish to join. We plan on working with the University's Division of Institutional Diversity to get more students involved.

What does your team do exceptionally well? How will you use your team's strengths to your advantage in the competition?

Our diversity is our greatest asset. Through expansive recruiting and networking, we have built a large team with several different majors and experience levels. This allows us the freedom to place team members in areas where they are passionate and able to make the greatest impact within Cyclone Cowboys. Having team members who are proficient in everything from welding to website design will drive our success.

What inspired your team's name?

The Cyclone Cowboys' name was inspired by our school, Oklahoma State University, and the windy weather that the state of Oklahoma is known for. Although our mascot is Pistol Pete, we are also known across the nation as the Cowboys. As a final ode to the Great Plains and the severe weather it is known for, we included cyclone in our team's name to give another nod to wind energy in Oklahoma.