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 • 26 Aug 2020
Predicting the lifespan of metallic left-overs in the ocean
Steel pipes, sunken ships, discarded weaponry and other decommissioned infrastructure corroding on the ocean floor are the subject of a new research project at the University of Newcastle.
News • 26 Aug 2020
First look inside Central Coast’s future of health education and clinical research
Take a sneak peek into the new $72.5 million Central Coast Research Institute (CCRI) and University of Newcastle Central Coast …
News • 24 Aug 2020
Survey seeks answers to understand our energy future
What does Australia’s energy future look like? What do Australians want it to look like?
News • 20 Aug 2020
Science in Practice 2020
Science in Practice is a one-day event hosted by the University of Newcastle's Faculty of Science to coincide with Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, National Science Week.
News • 17 Aug 2020
Launch of Newcastle Geotrail to celebrate National Science Week
The amazing geology of Newcastle’s coastline is on display for science enthusiasts and nature lovers through the launch of a new digital geotrail during National Science Week.
News • 14 Aug 2020
University of Newcastle says farewell and congratulations to Professor Kevin Hall
The University of Newcastle takes pride in announcing today that Professor Kevin Hall, will be leaving the University in November …
News • 14 Aug 2020
Recognising the hazardous effects of ‘pre-loading’ with alcohol
Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH) has revealed the significant risks associated with pre-loading with alcohol.
News • 12 Aug 2020
Newcastle cancer researcher recognised as Young Tall Poppy
Esteemed cancer researcher and charity advocate, Dr Matthew Dun, has been acknowledged for his dedication to improving cancer survival outcomes, with a 2020 ‘Young Tall Poppy’ science award.
News • 11 Aug 2020
The benefits of speaking in an Aboriginal Language
By Dr Raymond Kelly, Deputy Head of the University of Newcastle’s Wollotuka Institute.
News • 11 Aug 2020
End to University negotiations aimed at achieving savings
The University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, has today advised staff that the University has been unable to reach …
News • 11 Aug 2020
New film captures historical story of Scott Sisters of Ash Island
Harriet and Helena Scott worked and grew up during the 1840s-1860s on Ash Island, which is now part of Kooragang Island, learning to be scientific illustrators.
News • 10 Aug 2020
Nanomaterials PhD student handpicked as global talent
A talented nanomaterials researcher, Ahmad Tabish, has been selected for a highly competitive Distinguished Talent VISA under the Government’s newly launched Global Talent Independent Program.
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.