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 • 20 Aug 2019
The next wave of research stars in the limelight
With thousands of hours of research condensed into just three minutes, 15 bright and determined postgraduate students will take the stage at The Conservatorium on Friday (23 August) to compete in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
News • 15 Aug 2019
Laureate Professor receives global gong for outstanding research
A novel flotation device developed by the University of Newcastle’s Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson AO has taken out this year’s CEEC Medal for Technical Research.
News • 13 Aug 2019
Prevention of heart attacks and stroke a step closer
Almost $15 million has been awarded to 10 senior scientists and 10 clinician scientists across the state to continue their work into Australia’s number one killer, heart disease.
News • 13 Aug 2019
Antiseptic resistance in bacteria could lead to next-gen plastics
Australian-UK researchers identify ancient protein pumps that make bacteria tough to treat – but could be key to new green polymers
News • 09 Aug 2019
Marine heatwaves a bigger threat to coral reefs than previously thought, scientists find
Marine heatwaves are a much bigger threat to coral reefs than previously thought, research revealing a previously unrecognised impact of climate change on coral reefs has shown.
News • 05 Aug 2019
Weight-loss trial to recharge men’s mental and physical health
The internationally renowned SHED-IT (Self-Help, Exercise and Diet using Information Technology) research program from the University of Newcastle has been redeveloped with a renewed focus on helping men lift their mood, not just lose weight.
News • 31 Jul 2019
Central Coast celebrates 30 years of the ‘community campus’
Staff, students and alumni from the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus will come together on Wednesday 31 July to celebrate the 30th anniversary of providing transformative education on the Central Coast campus.
News • 29 Jul 2019
Funding boost for new approach to reduce gynaecological cancers
Researchers from the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute are determined to shift the way society views contraceptive pills and reproductive health in an effort to reduce gynaecological cancers.
News • 24 Jul 2019
University unveils plans for $200 million STEMM investment
The University of Newcastle today unveiled plans for a flagship facility at its Callaghan campus, heralded as its largest infrastructure spend to date.
News • 23 Jul 2019
International students welcomed at the University of Newcastle
Accepting an offer to study at the University of Newcastle was an easy decision for international student Ruvimbo Vusango, who made the trip from Zimbabwe four years ago.
News • 19 Jul 2019
Virtual concert set to transform performance possibility
The University of Newcastle will host Newcastle’s first ever virtual concert this week, as students test the boundaries of immersive performance.
News • 18 Jul 2019
Healthy eating options on the table for young Australians
Young Australian adults will now have free access to personalised dietary advice available at their fingertips, with the launch of a new website aimed at improving the eating habits of the country’s most unhealthiest age group.
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.