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 • 17 May 2022
New mountainfrog species identified in Southeast Queensland
Ecologists from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) and researchers from the University of Newcastle, Southern Cross University, CSIRO and the South Australian Museum have uncovered a new species of mountainfrog; Philoriaknowlesi, in Queensland’s south-east, and are now working to protec
News • 11 May 2022
University of Newcastle welcomes $50M to trailblaze in recycling and clean energy
The University of Newcastle has welcomed today’s Federal Government announcement of $50 million in funding to produce clean energy and recycling innovations through the creation of the Australian Trailblazer Recycling and Clean Energy (ATRaCE) Program.
News • 11 May 2022
Partnership with Australian Public Service to boost regional jobs and digital opportunities
The Minister for the Public Service, Ben Morton has today announced that the Australian Public Service (APS) will partner with the University of Newcastle to deliver a new university Academy Campus.
News • 09 May 2022
University of Newcastle welcomes $15 Million Decarbonisation Hub
The University of Newcastle has welcomed a $15 million investment from the NSW Government for a Decarbonisation Innovation Hub that will help fast-track research, development and commercialisation to drive solutions for a low emissions economy.
News • 09 May 2022
Oceanex Energy Scholarship empowers student-led renewable energy research
A new scholarship delivered by Oceanex Energy will support University of Newcastle research into renewable energy options, and offshore wind farming specifically.
News • 05 May 2022
Australian Scientist to head bid to clean up the world's soils
A distinguished Australian scientist has been chosen to lead a global effort to end pollution of the world’s food-growing soils.
News • 03 May 2022
Migrant voices needed for Australia’s largest study on women’s health
The largest and longest-running women’s health study ever conducted in Australia is looking to recruit at least 1000 migrant women to ensure the study accurately reflects Australia’s current population.
News • 02 May 2022
Sustainability Remains Key for University
Sustainability is at the core of the University’s values and the latest rankings from Times Higher Education Impact Rankings show the university continues to be a world leader in sustainability.
News • 21 Apr 2022
HMRI launches new research programs
The Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) has announced the creation of 19 new research programs. The new programs will study a wide range of health issues relevant to our communities.
News • 13 Apr 2022
New model could help save koalas at a fraction of the price
Integrating frozen koala sperm into captive management programs is a crucial step to help save the endangered Australian species – a first-of-its-kind model reveals.
News • 12 Apr 2022
University of Newcastle tips hats to latest cohort of graduates
University of Newcastle students will gather in Callaghan’s Great Hall over the coming days as nearly 2,300 graduates receive their degrees this week.
News • 11 Apr 2022
New University campus for Gosford
The NSW Government has today announced that the University of Newcastle will be its university partner to deliver a new university campus in Mann Street, Gosford.
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.