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 • 30 Apr 2014
Nathalie ‘develops’ passion for learning
Nathalie Gentle’s children call her a nerd, but she doesn’t mind. Today, she will graduate with first class honours from the Bachelor of Development Studies.
News • 30 Apr 2014
Week 2 Callaghan graduation ceremonies
Hundreds of students will cross the Great Hall stage this week during week two of the Callaghan April/May graduation ceremonies.
News • 30 Apr 2014
Open Foundation opens door to medicine degree
Indigenous student Nikki Payne never imagined undertaking university study, let alone a degree in medicine.
News • 29 Apr 2014
UON history of violence research acknowledged
The Director of the Centre for the History of Violence, Professor Philip Dwyer, has been awarded a residency by the Rockefeller Foundation
News • 29 Apr 2014
Go to WHoA! – Gen Ys helping to shape health care future
More than 17,000 young women bucked the stereotypical ‘Generation Me’ tag last year to complete a survey that will help shape the future of health services.
News • 23 Apr 2014
Callaghan graduates celebrate over 15 ceremonies
Years of commitment and hard work will be celebrated by hundreds of students over the next fortnight as they participate in the Callaghan April/May ceremonies.
News • 15 Apr 2014
Revolutionary clean energy technology launched in the Hunter
A new clean energy system launched today will demonstrate cost savings in electricity generation for remote mining and industrial sites and rural communities.
News • 14 Apr 2014
UON welcomes greater support for entry pathways
Professor Caroline McMillen has welcomed the report of the review of the Demand Driven Funding System and the recommendations for expansion and improvement.
News • 14 Apr 2014
Tuggerah first to roll-out revolutionary US schools program
UON and Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College working on a program to help students achieve their academic potential and aspirations for tertiary study
News • 14 Apr 2014
Indigenous scholars head to world’s most prestigious universities
Two outstanding young scholars awarded competitive indigenous scholarships to study at Oxford and Cambridge
News • 11 Apr 2014
'Smoke and mirrors’ strategy costing Mum and Dad investors billions
New University of Newcastle research reveals families are in danger of losing thousands of dollars through incorrect investment advice
News • 09 Apr 2014
New sequencer turbo-charges cancer risk diagnosis
A HMRI genetics laboratory at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital has become the first in Australia, and one of the few …
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.