BURLINGTON, KS, (March 6, 2020) – The Kansas Energy program hosted the Burlington KidWind Challenge featuring students from local schools who created a small-scale wind turbine or solar structure to harness energy safely. KidWind is an organization focused on helping educators and students learn about renewable energy.

Students from Leavenworth to Paola, ranging from fourth through 12th grade, traveled to Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant on Friday, March 6, to participate in the event and learning activity.  EDP Renewables North America and staff from Cloud County Community College attended to judge the event.

“We are honored to help KidWind educate and inspire these young students,” said Pat Cheever, EDP Renewables North America Waverly Wind Farm Senior Operations Manager.  “KidWind presents great opportunities for kids to learn more about the science behind the wind and solar industries and to understand if they want to consider working in the renewables field later in life.”

EDP Renewables owns and operates the 199 megawatt (MW) Waverly Wind Farm in Coffey County.  The company frequently partners with Cloud County Community College and other community members to provide educational opportunities for students interested in the renewables industry.

Four teams were named winners: Electric Four from Coffey County 4-H, Paola Team 1 from Paola Middle School, Westside Turbines from Paola High School and Spring Hill High School and Memes from Chase County Sr High.  These teams will advance to the statewide competition on April 4, in Topeka.  In 2019, the Electric Four team advanced to the national competition, and they received a travel scholarship from EDP Renewables North America.

With the help of EDP Renewables North America, KidWind will host more events across the U.S. before their national competition held at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) CLEANPOWER Exhibition & Conference on June 2-4 in Denver, Colorado.