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 • 15 Sep 2023
Our University supports a Yes vote in the Voice to Parliament referendum
The University of Newcastle supports an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
News • 15 Sep 2023
Softballer takes out top honour at University Sports Awards
Softball player Callum Beashel has been awarded the University’s most prestigious sporting honour, Sportsperson of the Year, at the University of Newcastle’s Sports Awards held last night at the Conservatorium of Music.
News • 14 Sep 2023
Dr Jessica Allen receives prestigious Young Tall Poppy Award
Electrochemical engineer, Dr Jessica Allen has been recognised with a NSW 2023 Young Tall Poppy Science Award for her outstanding contribution to science communication.
News • 12 Sep 2023
Australian Catholic women echo the global call for church reform
New analysis of the world-first International Survey of Catholic Women has found Australian Catholic women are echoing their international sisters’ hunger for church reform.
News • 12 Sep 2023
University Places Spotlight on Placements
Nominations for the Employability Excellence Awards close on Friday 15 September
News • 11 Sep 2023
Delprat Cottage landscape remediation project lands prestigious Good Design Award
In recognition for outstanding design and innovation, the Delprat Cottage and Gardens has been awarded a Good Design Award Gold Winner Accolade in the Architectural Design category at the 2023 Australian Good Design Awards.
News • 07 Sep 2023
566 people get behind University’s Gifting Day
Seven initiatives are set to receive vital funds, with the University of Newcastle’s Gifting Day raising more than $230,000 through the support of 566 donors and ambassadors.
News • 07 Sep 2023
Students receive Early Entry offers and extra support ahead of HSC exams
Almost 8,000 high school students will today receive an offer to study at the University of Newcastle as part of the first round of offers for the institution’s new Early Entry program.
News • 31 Aug 2023
Digital innovation launched to ‘eclipse’ rising tide of mental health and substance use problems
Much like the rest of the world, Australia is facing a mental health care crisis. COVID-19 has contributed more than a 25 per cent increase in new cases of depression and anxiety, with the impact on alcohol and other substance use still being understood.
News • 28 Aug 2023
University of Newcastle’s new, high-tech campus on the Central Coast given green light
The NSW Government has formally approved the $58 million University of Newcastle Central Coast Campus, which will be built on the site of the former Mitre 10 building at 305 Mann Street, Gosford.
News • 28 Aug 2023
Wantok Pasifika: Celebrating real impact in our region
The University of Newcastle’s Pacific students were in the spotlight at this year’s Wantok Pasifika event as they demonstrated how their work is having real world impact in Pacific communities.
News • 24 Aug 2023
Innovative research pitches win quick-fire University of Newcastle Three Minute Thesis and Visualise Your Thesis contest
Chloe Wilkins and Madeleine Gale took out the top prizes in the University of Newcastle’s Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) and inaugural Visualise Your Thesis (VYT) competitions, with the respective champions announced at this week’s competition finals.
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.