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 • 26 Aug 2026
Nathan Towney appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor Engagement and Equity
The University of Newcastle has today announced the appointment of Nathan Towney as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Equity.
News • 26 Aug 2026
University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Open Day is the place for students to discover their future
The University of Newcastle is set to showcase a new era of study on the Central Coast, with hundreds of …
News • 24 Aug 2026
Natural restoration is key to reviving threatened tropical rainforests
As nations race to restore ecosystems and curb climate change, research has shown that letting nature do the work is a cost-effective and viable solution.
News • 21 Aug 2026
Kirralee Hughes honoured nationally for transforming brain cancer care and research
Mark Hughes Foundation co-founder Kirralee Hughes has been named a recipient of the 2026 Jeannie Ferris Award* for Members of the Community, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to improving outcomes for people with cancer.
News • 19 Aug 2026
BHP sustainable steelmaking program wins national AFR Higher Education Award
National recognition for a partnership driving the future of sustainable steelmaking.
News • 18 Aug 2026
Sustain Me program serves up affordable meals for University of Newcastle students
University of Newcastle students now have greater access to affordable, convenient and nutritious meals at significantly reduced prices through a …
News • 18 Aug 2026
CSIRO backs next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM talent with $1.5 million scholarship program
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and other energy transition-related degrees at the University of Newcastle will benefit from a major new scholarship initiative funded by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.
News • 11 Aug 2026
Researchers uncover a silver lining to Australia’s solar panel landfill problem
Australia’s growing mountain of solar panel waste could become far more valuable, with University of Newcastle researchers taking a major step towards making solar panel-recycling economically sustainable.
News • 10 Aug 2026
Overcoming silence: a renewed effort to listen to the voices of religious sisters
Efforts to engage with the rarely heard stories of religious sisters have received a renewed pledge of support to further inform Australia’s understanding of women’s experiences in the Church.
News • 07 Aug 2026
Two Hunter researchers backed with $200,000 to turn breakthrough ideas into better health
Two Hunter researchers have secured the 2026 Newcastle Permanent Innovator Fellowships, receiving $100,000 each to help turn their medical research ideas into life-saving solutions.
News • 04 Aug 2026
University of Newcastle welcomes additional Commonwealth Supported Places to strengthen regional medical workforce
The University of Newcastle has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of 50 additional Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) for medical students …
News • 04 Aug 2026
Contractor awarded for university’s 450-bed student accommodation at Callaghan Campus
The University of Newcastle has moved a step closer to delivering more affordable housing for students, appointing Hansen Yuncken as principal contractor for a new 450-bed accommodation development at Callaghan Campus.
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.