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 • 18 Mar 2020
Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2020-2025
University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Alex Zelinsky officially launched the Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2020-2025 to University staff
News • 16 Mar 2020
What causes an ice age to end?
New research has revealed that ice ages over the last million years ended when the tilt angle of the Earth's axis was approaching higher values.
News • 11 Mar 2020
University of Newcastle Offers Campese Clinics for Rugby and Resilience
Rugby union legend, David Campese has partnered with the University of Newcastle, Australia to deliver a series of school-based clinics …
News • 06 Mar 2020
Students at the heart of unique partnership with music industry giant BMG
An opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s biggest and best-established artists and music industry professionals is now a reality for students at the University of Newcastle.
News • 26 Feb 2020
Newcastle educators shine in Australian Awards for University Teachers
Two University of Newcastle lecturers have received national recognition for teaching excellence, each awarded a highly acclaimed 2019 Australian Award for University Teaching (AAUT).
News • 25 Feb 2020
American Fulbright scholars in Newcastle
Aligning with its commitment to enhance international collaboration and foster global impact, the University of Newcastle welcomes two visiting American Fulbright Scholars who will contribute to research in water sustainability and eating behaviour.
News • 25 Feb 2020
University recognised for ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality
The University of Newcastle has again been named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. This is the sixth consecutive …
News • 24 Feb 2020
Trade law researcher awarded prestigious Fulbright scholarship
Professor Lisa Toohey has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to further her research abroad. Professor Toohey’s research investigates the changing political dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region, and the impact they are having on the relations between Australia and the United States.
News • 21 Feb 2020
Work to start on the University of Newcastle’s new home for innovation and creative endeavour
Taylor Martin MLC has today joined University of Newcastle Vice Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO, to announce construction is set to begin on the first building within the University’s Honeysuckle City Campus.
News • 20 Feb 2020
Collaborate to Innovate program set to improve local business collaboration
An exciting new program administered by the Entrepreneurs’ Programme and Austmine, and hosted by the NSW Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub is helping demystify the process of industry-research collaborations, and helping businesses to be collaboration ready.
News • 11 Feb 2020
National Council of Women recognise student achievements
Three exceptional University of Newcastle researchers have been recognised as inspiring leaders in their field, with an Australia Day Honour from the National Council of Women (NCW) of NSW.
News • 04 Feb 2020
University of Newcastle update on Coronavirus
On Saturday 1 February the Federal Government announced that entry into Australia from, or through, mainland China is restricted to only Australian citizens and residents.
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.