Affordable and Clean Energy
Local Community Outreach for Energy Efficiency
The University of Newcastle delivers community and school outreach that helps people explore energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the role of engineering in a lower-emissions future.
Clean energy innovation in the Hunter
On 2 April 2025, the University's I2N Startup Stories program at the Honeysuckle Innovation Hub featured University alumnus Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech. The public event explored how a Newcastle cleantech startup is making ammonia production cleaner and more energy efficient, using less energy while reducing emissions and manufacturing costs.
The session connected clean-energy research and entrepreneurship with the Hunter's startup community, showing how energy-efficiency innovation can move from the laboratory into practical industrial applications.
Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech.
Energy learning through the Science and Engineering Challenge
The University's Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM outreach program delivered in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. In 2025, more than 26,800 students from over 873 schools took part, including Challenge and Discovery Days in Newcastle, the Central Coast and other regional communities.
Energy and sustainability are built into the program's hands-on activities. In ElectraCITY, students design an electricity network for a model city and must find the most efficient, lowest-cost way to supply buildings while accounting for cable resistance and infrastructure costs. Other activities include wind-turbine design and environmentally responsive housing.
The 2025 event calendar included Newcastle Challenge Days from 4-10 April and Newcastle Discovery Days from 8-12 September, alongside events throughout New South Wales and every Australian state and territory.
The National Science and Engineering Challenge
Building energy literacy through practical outreach
These programs give school students, community members, innovators and local industry practical ways to engage with energy efficiency and clean-energy solutions. They connect technical concepts with real-world decisions about electricity use, industrial processes, renewable technologies and sustainable design.
2024 Annual Spring School
The University of Newcastle's centre for organic electronics (COE) successfully hosted its 14th annual spring school. In 2024, this three-day event provided undergraduate students from various disciplines, including Science, Math, IT, Engineering, and Medical Sciences, with an opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in organic electronics. The program featured lectures from local and international experts, hands-on experiences in COE labs, and interactive think tank sessions aimed at inspiring students to pursue research careers. Highlights included fabricating organic solar cells, operating advanced microscopes, racing simulated EV cars, and learning about Printed Solar and its recycling. Accredited by CIFAL Newcastle and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), students received formal recognition for their participation. The event, sponsored by Spruson & Ferguson Intellectual Property and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, saw students awarded for solar cell efficiency and EV racing. Following the event’s success, many students expressed interest in continuing their research journey with the COE.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
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News • 20 Feb 2018
Defence forum targets emerging research
The University and ADC have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on research into the use of virtual simulation to support individual training.
News • 16 Feb 2018
New rules to tackle concussion in NSW sports
UON Clinical Neuropsychologist, Dr Andrew Gardner, will play a key role in protecting Australian athletes from concussion on the field, with new state-wide guidelines announced today.
News • 16 Feb 2018
HCRF research fellowship to support better nutrition, better breathing
The Hunter Children's Research Foundation has awarded Dr Megan Jensen with an Early-Career Fellowship thanks to a bequest from the late Peggy Lang.
News • 13 Feb 2018
Student takes out silver in the Winter Olympics
Elite student-athlete from the University of Newcastle, Matthew Graham, has won Australia’s first Winter Olympics medal overnight in the men’s mogul event.
News • 13 Feb 2018
Future doctors hit BEACCH for emergency training
UON medicine students, based at the Central Coast campus, are participating in an orientation program to introduce them to medical scenarios relevant to coastal or remote locations.
News • 12 Feb 2018
Virtual cells provide new cancer insights
Academics from the University of Newcastle and HMRI have developed a revolutionary online platform to advance cancer research and treatment.
News • 09 Feb 2018
Program supports women to climb corporate ladder
The Women in Master of Business Administration (WiMBA) Scholarship program has partnered with leading Hunter organisations to help grow the female talent pipeline and foster positive economic growth.
News • 09 Feb 2018
Lived experience writing a new chapter for mental health education
A ground-breaking UON resource has woven together the experience of practitioner and patient to craft a first-of-its-kind learning tool for students entering the field of mental health.
News • 08 Feb 2018
Student launches towards Olympic glory
Elite student-athlete, Matthew Graham, from the University of Newcastle has been named in the Australian Team for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
News • 07 Feb 2018
Linking young adults to healthy eating habits
The University of Newcastle has received funding from nib foundation to develop an innovative web platform that will deliver personalised nutrition advice.
News • 07 Feb 2018
It’s wine time as researchers explore Australian drinking tastes
Wine lovers can taste-test a new style of wine, while contributing to important consumer behaviour research, in a University of Newcastle and HMRI study.
News • 06 Feb 2018
City precinct broadens Newcastle's international appeal
The University of Newcastle’s city precinct has become a major drawcard for attracting international conferences, supporting the city’s economic renewal.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.