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 • 25 Aug 2017
New technology could harness carbon dioxide emissions
Technology developed and now showcased in Australia could use carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as a resource and transform them into building products.
News • 23 Aug 2017
Global collaborations receive funding
Two UON researchers will have their work funded thanks to the Global Connections Fund, which provides initial funding support to promote Australian researchers
News • 22 Aug 2017
New degree will engineer future healthcare solutions
UON has created a new degree in Medical Engineering to provide students with the skills and expertise needed to address future healthcare problems.
News • 22 Aug 2017
XXI World Congress on Safety & Health at Work 2017
The World Congress on Safety and Health at Work takes place every three years and Singapore is privileged to be hosting this event from 3 to 6 September 2017
News • 21 Aug 2017
No smoker left behind: helping all Australians quit
UON researchers are calling for better resources to aid all Australians to quit smoking, with particular focus on population subgroups at greater risk.
News • 21 Aug 2017
New approach for diagnosing and treating coeliac disease
A review article led by the University of Newcastle (UON) has revealed a recommended approach for the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease in Australia.
News • 18 Aug 2017
World's best animated films on show in Newcastle
The Newcastle International Animation Festival (NIAF) will extend across three days this year, featuring a selection of the world's finest bite-sized animations
News • 18 Aug 2017
Nuclear imaging trial aiming to clear up airway diagnosis
Hunter respiratory researchers are turning to nuclear medicine for a more advanced approach to phenotyping chronic diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive
News • 17 Aug 2017
Outstanding young scientific mind recognised
The significant work of a University of Newcastle (UON) researcher has been recognised at the prestigious 2017 NSW Young Tall Poppy awards
News • 16 Aug 2017
UON students marked as entrepreneurial trailblazers
Seven students from the University of Newcastle are set to pioneer the future of innovation as they undertake studies at the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship
News • 14 Aug 2017
New app revolutionising treatment for stroke patients
A world-first app developed in conjunction with UON will improve the rehabilitation process for patients suffering from an arm impairment due to stroke.
News • 14 Aug 2017
$100,000 grant for Newcastle STEM outreach program
The University of Newcastle’s innovative Science and Engineering Challenge has attracted a $100,000 grant from the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer’s office
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.