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 • 11 Feb 2019
Asthma drugs in head-to-head battle
Hunter researchers will be conducting a head-to-head comparison of two new-generation drugs designed to help those with severe asthma.
News • 05 Feb 2019
Community at core of Port Macquarie graduation
A Kempsey local and proud Wiradjuri and Dunghutti woman, April will join her cohort on Tuesday, 5 February to celebrate the culmination of her studies as the first Indigenous graduate of the Port Macquarie Bachelor of Midwifery program.
News • 05 Feb 2019
Ten year prostate cancer trial proves optimal treatment duration
Results from Australia’s and New Zealand’s biggest cancer trial have identified the best treatment regime for men suffering from newly-diagnosed …
News • 01 Feb 2019
Computer Scientist nominated for Rotary Humanitarian STAR Award
A Newcastle-based computer scientist, Professor Pablo Moscato, is a nominee for the prestigious Rotary Humanitarian STAR (Science, Technology, Aerospace, Robotics) Award.
News • 31 Jan 2019
2019 Australia Day honours
The University of Newcastle congratulates and celebrates all Australians recognised in the 2019 Australia Day honours.
News • 24 Jan 2019
Researchers jump to action to save threatened frog species
As part of a new conservation initiative, community members in the Sydney Basin area will learn to identify frogs by their call.
News • 23 Jan 2019
Funding signals new hope for multiple sclerosis treatment
Hunter researchers will help advance vital prevention and treatment methods for thousands of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) following a funding announcement today from MS Research Australia.
News • 17 Jan 2019
Complimentary legal service will hit the beach this summer
A unique drop-in service is set to hit the beach this month, giving community members an opportunity to seek free legal advice on any matter from traffic fines to employment discrimination.
News • 17 Jan 2019
Work starts on world-class biorefinery for the Hunter
Work has started on the first bio-renewables research facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere which will put the Hunter region on the map as a national hub for bio-renewables research, development and commercialisation.
News • 14 Jan 2019
Blood sugar and brain health: how diabetes impacts the brain
Spikes and dips in blood sugar levels experienced in the daily management of diabetes can undermine mental abilities such as memory and attention span.
News • 10 Jan 2019
OPINION: Reducing risk through pill testing
Australia has always been a country that allows free speech, and a debate that is not going away at the moment is pill testing, writes Professor Alison Hutton.
News • 24 Dec 2018
Goal to improve player well-being in junior sports
A new study being conducted by University of Newcastle physical education researcher Dr Narelle Eather, with funding from First National Newcastle City, aims to improve positive sporting experiences focused on player well-being.
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.