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 • 02 Feb 2021
Today’s cancer patients need not be tomorrow’s cardiovascular patients
Today’s cancer patient may be tomorrow’s cardiac patient, with almost a third of people who survive cancer developing cardiovascular disease (CVD).
News • 02 Feb 2021
Research shows nasal spray that protects against COVID-19 is also effective against the common cold
Research into a new drug which primes the immune system in the respiratory tract and is in development for COVID-19 shows it is also effective against rhinovirus.
News • 02 Feb 2021
Report: Australia’s first national park for koalas projected to generate $1.2 billion in economic output and 9,800+ jobs
A landmark study into Australia’s proposed first large national park dedicated to protecting koalas has projected additional regional economic output of $1.2 billion over the next 15 years and $1.7 billion in biodiversity value.
News • 01 Feb 2021
Hunter Region Nominated as a Hydrogen Technology Cluster
The Hunter region has been chosen as the Hunter Hydrogen Technology Cluster in an announcement made today from National Energy Resources Australia (NERA).
News • 26 Jan 2021
OPINION: Looking Forward, Looking Back
Loren Collyer is a proud Bandjin woman and Indigenous Executive Support Officer for the Office of Indigenous Strategy and Leadership at the University of Newcastle.
News • 26 Jan 2021
Exceptional affiliates recognised in 2021 Australia Day Honours
The University of Newcastle congratulates and celebrates all Australians recognised in the 2021 Australia Day Honours, in particular those belonging to the University’s valued community.
News • 21 Jan 2021
University microplastics research in the United Nations spotlight
Recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a world-leader in microplastics research, University of Newcastle’s Dr Thava Palanisami has been invited to speak at the Geneva Beat Plastic Pollution Dialogues and showcase University of Newcastle-based research on the world-stage.
News • 15 Jan 2021
Pop-up legal clinic returns to support the Newcastle community
After a challenging 2020, the University of Newcastle Legal Centre’s pop-up clinic at Merewether beach is returning to offer free legal advice to individuals struggling with any law-related matters.
News • 11 Jan 2021
University of Newcastle VC Professor Alex Zelinsky formally takes over the reins as Chair of NUW Alliance
Media announcement by the NUW Alliance announcing University of Newcastle VC Professor Alex Zelinsky formally takes over the reins as Chair of NUW Alliance.
News • 18 Dec 2020
Muscling RNA polymerase off the DNA
Researchers elucidate a unique molecular mechanism for efficient gene expression in pathogenic bacteria
News • 18 Dec 2020
Great ideas attract $7 million in NHMRC grants
Seven University of Newcastle researchers have been awarded more than $7 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants, designed to support innovative and creative research projects which address a specific question.
News • 18 Dec 2020
University of Newcastle author wins major literary award
Professor Sarah Wright, a human geographer from the University of Newcastle is part of a collective of women who were joint winners of the Prime Minister’s literary awards non-fiction category.
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.