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
Learn more
News • 15 Dec 2017
Academic honoured for graduating global citizens
Associate Professor Brendan Boyle has received a 2017 Teaching Excellence Award from the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).
News • 15 Dec 2017
Prof Nicholas Talley crowned Australia’s top researcher
Professor Nicholas Talley, UON’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Research is Australia’s most cited academic, a new report from Google Scholar confirms.
News • 14 Dec 2017
Research honoured for advancing Indigenous education
Professor John Lester from the University of Newcastle has received the Ray Debus Award for Doctoral Research in Education.
News • 11 Dec 2017
Newcastle researchers awarded $750,000 to help heart health
Six Hunter researchers have secured $750,000 in Heart Foundation funding to investigate heart disease, Australia’s leading cause of death.
News • 08 Dec 2017
World-first UON course draws international recognition
Taking out the prestigious edX Prize for Exceptional Contributions in Online Learning and Teaching at an international ceremony
News • 08 Dec 2017
Smart cities MOU strengthens University of Newcastle-China relationship
The University of Newcastle has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South China Agricultural University at the NSW-Guangdong Joint Economic Meeting.
News • 06 Dec 2017
Preferences strong to study at UON in 2018
More students are seeking to pursue their passion and study a degree at UON in 2018 with data showing a strong increase in preferences from prospective students
News • 06 Dec 2017
An impressive creation to mark the 40th year finale
Internationally renowned soprano and UON alumna, Miriam Allan, will join the Newcastle University Choir for their final performance of 2017
News • 05 Dec 2017
Collaborative centre to power a cleaner future
A new collaborative centre will aid the development of innovative technologies to boost research into clean energy.
News • 04 Dec 2017
Confusion around treatment of digestive disorders
University of Newcastle researchers outline clearer treatment paths for sufferers of functional dyspepsia.
News • 04 Dec 2017
Nicotine replacement in pregnancy: Safer than smoking
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is safer than smoking and Australian doctors can be confident about prescribing it for their pregnant patients
News • 03 Dec 2017
Mustafa Prize recognises work of UON and imperial engineer
Pioneering computer scientist, engineer and applied mathematician Professor Erol Gelenbe has been awarded a $500,000 Mustafa Prize for his work
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.