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 • 18 Sep 2014
Unlocking the power of personalised medicine
The University of Newcastle's (UON) Professor Pablo Moscato is leading the revolution of how some of medicine's greatest challenges, including …
News • 15 Sep 2014
Scholars Week 2014
Academic excellence and commitment is being recognised and rewarded at the University of Newcastle (UON) annual Scholars' Week celebrations (15-19 …
News • 12 Sep 2014
Walk to shine light on organ transplant tolerance
Community members will take a fluoro-lit twilight stroll along Nobbys Breakwall on Saturday 13 September for the second annual Glow Walk.
News • 10 Sep 2014
Study seeks taste of nutrition knowledge
UON researchers are aiming to determine the influence a person’s understanding of nutrition has on their eating habits, health and lifestyle.
News • 09 Sep 2014
Stroke survivors take centre stage
University of Newcastle choir BrainWaves helped launch 2014 Stroke Awareness Week with a performance at Parliament House in Sydney yesterday.
News • 05 Sep 2014
Energy Innovation Hub
The NSW Energy Innovation Knowledge Hub, launched today at the University of Newcastle, will further leverage the State’s innovative strengths in the sector.
News • 05 Sep 2014
Balloons for brain cancer research
This Father’s Day two UON students will release balloons at the Newcastle Knights game in memory of their dad and others who have been affected by brain cancer.
News • 03 Sep 2014
Filmmaker to explore Witch of Kings Cross
Internationally-acclaimed filmmaker Sonia Bible will visit UON to explore archived documents relating to the ‘Witch of Kings Cross, Rosaleen Norton.
News • 02 Sep 2014
University of Newcastle researcher awarded NHMRC Fellowship
UON researcher Professor Phil Hansbro received a prestigious NHMRC research fellowship for his project 'Development of new therapies for respiratory
News • 01 Sep 2014
25 Watt celebrates student art
UON Students’ Art Gallery, Watt Space is celebrating its 25th anniversary in September, making it the longest-running student art gallery in Australia.
News • 29 Aug 2014
NeW Space Information Session
UON will this weekend host a community information session, where Hunter residents can view plans for the proposed NeW Space higher education facility.
News • 29 Aug 2014
Partnership creates pathways for international students
UON and Hunter TAFE have joined forces in an innovative partnership aimed at enhancing the region’s reputation as a world-class education provider.
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.