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 • 08 Sep 2022
University of Newcastle Alumni achieving on a global scale
A ‘Corona Warrior’ helping patients in India, a leading Australian film director, one of Australia’s first Aboriginal doctors and a …
News • 08 Sep 2022
eCliPSE project to uncover barriers to digital mental health services
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased rates of depression and anxiety in Australia by 24-28 per cent, placing significant resource pressures on its health systems.
News • 05 Sep 2022
Kicking goals: University of Newcastle students celebrated at Sports Awards
Australian water polo players, international futsal competitors and rowers were among 23 individuals and sporting clubs whose achievements in sport …
News • 02 Sep 2022
Epic road test for printed solar
A pioneering environmental advocate will become the first consumer to road test futuristic printed solar cells, on an epic electric vehicle road trip around Australia.
News • 02 Sep 2022
More skilled people needed to continue Australia’s prosperity
As delegates meet this week for the Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra, the role of the university sector in delivering a high-quality labour force through skills training, and boosting productivity comes into the spotlight.
News • 02 Sep 2022
Greater financial literacy leads to greater life satisfaction
More than a third of Australians are financially illiterate, according to newly released research from the University of Newcastle.
News • 31 Aug 2022
World-first stroke recovery program launches in Newcastle
An online resource portal, co-designed by people living with stroke with researchers from HMRI and the University of Newcastle, is offering specialised support on the journey to recovery.
News • 24 Aug 2022
Countdown’s on: Full campus activation ready to launch for Newcastle Open Day – City Campus and Callaghan
Up to 4,000 prospective students will get their first taste of university life this Saturday at the University of Newcastle’s …
News • 19 Aug 2022
University of Newcastle students welcomed to ‘The House’
From today, University of Newcastle students will have access to a new space called ‘The House’, created in consultation with the University of Newcastle Students’ Association (UNSA) and our broad student community.
News • 19 Aug 2022
Globally recognised groundwater scientist joins University of Newcastle as Pro Vice-Chancellor
Professor Craig T. Simmons has been appointed to the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor for the University of Newcastle’s prestigious College …
News • 16 Aug 2022
A return to Indigenous-led solutions may be our only hope to reverse plastics pollution
The dumping of plastics in the Pacific Islands (Te Moananui) is a form of waste colonisation, leading to disproportionate plastics …
News • 11 Aug 2022
Five things you need to know about stroke
It’s National Stroke Week (8 – 14 August) and HMRI and the University of Newcastle are on a mission to raise awareness about risk factors and rehabilitation research.
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.