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 Jun 2025
University of Newcastle ranked 2nd in World for Climate Action
The University of Newcastle’s strong commitment to sustainability has been recognised globally, with the university ranking second in the world for Climate Action in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
News • 15 Jun 2025
Approval granted for new City Campus Student Accommodation
The University of Newcastle has received formal approval from the NSW Government to proceed with the construction of its new City Campus Student Accommodation, located on the corner of Civic Lane and Worth Place.
News • 10 Jun 2025
2025 King’s Birthday Honours celebrates distinguished Australians
The University of Newcastle proudly acknowledges the outstanding Australians recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, particularly those that make up the diverse and accomplished University community.
News • 09 Jun 2025
Secret koala population uncovered on city fringe
A landmark survey has uncovered a hidden koala population living on the fringe of a major city, using thermal drone searches with spotlight verification and statistical modelling.
News • 03 Jun 2025
Astronomers gain unprecedented insight into the formation of a planet 850 lightyears away
On a quest to understand how planets are formed – and ultimately how Earth fits into the cosmic picture – astronomers have uncovered the chemical composition of an exoplanet 850 lightyears away with unprecedented precision.
News • 22 May 2025
Newcastle engineer shines under Australian Academy of Science spotlight
In recognition of his boundless contributions to the field of electrical engineering, the Australian Academy of Science has today announced University of Newcastle Emeritus Professor Rick Middleton as a Fellow of the Academy.
News • 22 May 2025
First researchers announced for accelerator program tackling sepsis, stroke, IVF and hearing
The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) has announced the first group of innovators selected for the Newcastle Permanent Innovation Accelerator …
News • 13 May 2025
Newly-refurbished University of Newcastle building opens at Callaghan Campus in honour of Alumnus Dr Vic Levi
Today marked a significant milestone at the University of Newcastle with the official opening and renaming ceremony of ‘The Vic Levi Building’, formerly known as the Health and Physical Education Building, at Callaghan Campus.
News • 13 May 2025
University announces Stage 1 of courses to be taught on Central Coast as construction completion date nears in Gosford
The University of Newcastle has today announced Education, Social Science, Business, and Pathway programs will be taught at the new Mann Street site in the heart of Gosford from next year, as the first stage of program announcements for the new facility.
News • 30 Apr 2025
New research funding for the fight against cancer
Two Cancer Council NSW grants will support University of Newcastle research that aims to increase cancer survival and improve quality of life.
News • 30 Apr 2025
Better treatment and prevention at the heart of new cardiovascular grants
Backed by NSW Health's Cardiovascular Senior and Early- to Mid-Career Researcher Grant, two University of Newcastle researchers are leading projects to deliver better health outcomes.
News • 24 Apr 2025
Research Forum unites leaders to tackle regional housing crisis
To inspire meaningful collaboration to address the housing crisis, the University of Newcastle will bring together key players from government, industry, academia and community groups to discuss challenges and potential solutions.
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.