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 • 18 Nov 2014
Clean energy in conference spotlight
More than 30 renewable energy guest speakers will present on new technology, bio-energy, wind energy, solar energy, government and policy.
News • 14 Nov 2014
Visionary US mayor to visit Newcastle
Mr Murphy is a University of Newcastle President’s Visiting Fellow and will deliver major public talks in Sydney and Newcastle on Building 21st Century Cities.
News • 12 Nov 2014
Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
The University of Newcastle has achieved a citation as a Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality.
News • 11 Nov 2014
UON's new medical facility wins design award
The University of Newcastle's cutting-edge medical facility houses purpose-built facilities to enhance the student experience.
News • 06 Nov 2014
Health behaviour researcher honoured
Laureate Professor Robert Sanson-Fisher AO, has taken out the inaugural Research Australia NSW Government Health Services Research Award.
News • 05 Nov 2014
Mental health trailblazer
University of Newcastle mental health researcher Professor Brian Kelly has been heralded as the HMRI Researcher of the Year for 2014.
News • 05 Nov 2014
UON secures $11m ARC funding
The 2014 ARC outcome places the University 9th in Australia and will deliver funding to support 27 research projects across UON.
News • 04 Nov 2014
Tamworth Community Open Day showcases cutting-edge education and research hub
UON's new world-class, $19.5 million Tamworth Education Centre will open its doors for the Tamworth Community Open Day.
News • 03 Nov 2014
Rural GP of the Year
UON’s Dr Jenny May has been named Telstra RDAA Rural Doctor of the Year, recognising her contribution to rural health on a local, regional and national scale.
News • 31 Oct 2014
UON medical students in experienced rural GP hands
A pilot General Practitioner (GP) mentoring program delivered by the National Rural Faculty (NRF) in conjunction with the University of Newcastle has gained the
News • 30 Oct 2014
Singapore Chief Justice visits Newcastle Law School to talk anti-corruption
Newcastle law students were taught a valuable lesson about corruption in law last Friday, during an address delivered by the visiting Chief Justice of Singapore
News • 29 Oct 2014
Brain cancer biobank
MHF BIOBANK AN INVESTMENT IN BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH, University of Newcastle, news
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.