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 • 03 Jul 2023
Professor Kelvin Kong named 2023 National NAIDOC Person of the Year
The University of Newcastle, Hunter Medical Research Institute and Hunter New England Local Health District extend their heartfelt congratulations to Professor Kelvin Kong for being awarded the prestigious 2023 National NAIDOC Person of the Year at the NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony in Brisbane on Saturday night.
News • 30 Jun 2023
Almost $3m grant secured for sector-first in Indigenous health research
The University of Newcastle in partnership with the Lowitja Institute has received just under $3 million in federal funding to …
News • 28 Jun 2023
University Leaps Ahead in World Ranking
The University of Newcastle has ranked equal 173rd in the world in the 2024 QS World University Rankings, jumping 19 places.
News • 28 Jun 2023
Cross-country success: Menindee students arrive at University of Newcastle
Hundreds of primary and secondary students will be welcomed at the University of Newcastle next week, with one group travelling …
News • 27 Jun 2023
ARC Linkage funding awarded to protect data and threatened species
From protecting data to protecting threatened species, two diverse University of Newcastle research projects have been successful in the latest …
News • 16 Jun 2023
Self-care and seeking support in dark days
Clinical psychologist, Professor Lynne McCormack shares information to help individuals and the community understand grief and trauma following the tragic bus crash in the Hunter Valley.
News • 13 Jun 2023
2023 King’s Birthday Honours celebrates outstanding Australians
The University of Newcastle proudly congratulates the achievements of all Australians recognised in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours, particularly those who are part of the University’s diverse community.
News • 09 Jun 2023
Symposium spurs race to beat brain cancer
Experts from across the nation are tackling brain cancer head on with collaboration front and centre following the inaugural symposium of the University of Newcastle’s Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research.
News • 06 Jun 2023
2023 Reconciliation Award winners announced
The winners of the 2023 Reconciliation awards have been announced. The awards were created to recognise efforts in reconciliation and to create cultural safety for staff and students.
News • 02 Jun 2023
University of Newcastle top 30 in the world for Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle’s longstanding commitment to sustainability has been demonstrated with the University ranking 28th in the world Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.
News • 01 Jun 2023
Statement from University Council: VC salary
Please attribute to a University of Newcastle Council Spokesperson: “The University of Newcastle Council is responsible for determining and approving the Vice Chancellor’s terms and conditions of employment.
News • 30 May 2023
Australia-first research into First Nations and city planning
The Greater Cities Commission (the Commission), in partnership with University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute and the Institute for Regional Futures, has today launched the Partnering with First Nations Communities in City and Regional Planning research report.
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.