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 Mar 2021
Yarning Circle to bring communities together
A Yarning Circle, established to provide a significant and accessible meeting space for local Aboriginal communities and the Central Coast community, has officially opened at the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus.
News • 05 Mar 2021
Scholarship win for surf life saving champion
One of Australia’s shooting stars of surf life saving, Jemma Smith, has been awarded the inaugural Newcastle Knights Minerva Scholarship.
News • 05 Mar 2021
Upward trajectory continues for University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle has improved its rankings in the latest 2021 QS Subject rankings.
News • 02 Mar 2021
Students to strengthen Australia’s ties with Indo-Pacific through cultural immersion program
The University of Newcastle has been awarded $2.59m to provide students an opportunity to participate in innovative Indo-Pacific cultural experiences.
News • 01 Mar 2021
Call for aged care focus on domestic violence
Australian researchers have called for additional services for survivors of intimate partner violence – warning those who have these experiences are more vulnerable to elder abuse.
News • 26 Feb 2021
Drones to predict where water pipes are at risk of bursting
With leaking and burst water pipes costing water authorities and consumers time and money, as well as wasting a precious resource, researchers at the University of Newcastle are developing drone technology to help predict which areas, and even which specific pipes, are at risk of water loss.
News • 24 Feb 2021
Chief Justice recognises Newcastle's newest lawyers among best in the country
For the first time in 25 years, Newcastle was proud to welcome the Chief Justice and three of the state’s top judges to preside over the University’s annual admittance ceremony at City Hall this week, in which eligible graduates are formally confirmed as lawyers of the court.
News • 22 Feb 2021
Digital tool to dial back COVID-19 anxiety, depression and alcohol use
With more than a third of Australians now drinking alcohol daily, compared to 6 per cent pre-COVID-19, researchers are developing a digital tool to help communities manage the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
News • 18 Feb 2021
Scientists unlock potential to yield “diet” fruit
A new study has demystified sugar distribution in plants, paving the way to create low sugar or ‘diet’ fruits.
News • 15 Feb 2021
Back to Uni for Newcastle students and it’s ‘COVID new normal’
As part of Orientation or ‘O’ Week celebrations, the University of Newcastle will welcome new students to its campuses via a series of welcome addresses, campus tours, demonstrations and social gatherings, commencing today.
News • 08 Feb 2021
Drones reveal importance of sea cucumber poop in protecting coral reefs
A new way of measuring the volume of poop produced by sea cucumbers has alerted researchers to the essential role these sea creatures play in shaping and keeping the world’s coral reefs healthy.
News • 03 Feb 2021
'10 of the Best': Newcastle health and medical research in NHMRC showcase
Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has launched the 12th edition of 10 of the Best, showcasing significant projects that support the improvement of human health.
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.