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 Dec 2018
Younger women unaware of increased cardiovascular disease risk
A pregnancy condition that endangers the lives of mothers and babies can lead to serious heart health issues for women up to 10 years after childbirth and yet few are aware of the risks.
News • 19 Dec 2018
Supporting the supporters of loved ones who use Ice
A resilience and well-being program designed to help family and friends supporting loved ones who use crystal methamphetamine is set for a major expansion.
News • 18 Dec 2018
Rock pool risk rating flows from Newcastle research
University of Newcastle research has shaped the creation of a new public warning system for one of the State’s most …
News • 18 Dec 2018
Missing ingredient identified for treating schizophrenia
Simple dietary changes and existing drugs used for other disorders could help ease the symptoms for millions of people currently living with schizophrenia.
News • 15 Dec 2018
First Australian university to sign 100% renewable electricity contract with Red Energy
In a sector-leading move, the University of Newcastle has signed a seven-year contract with Red Energy to buy 100% renewable electricity across its Newcastle and Central Coast campuses.
News • 14 Dec 2018
Yoga and mind study aiming to relieve severe asthma
Respiratory researchers at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute are investigating how yoga and mindfulness classes can …
News • 06 Dec 2018
$1.5 million project aiming to deliver ‘precision rehabilitation’
A new decision-making tool being developed in a major research project is set to give patients better and more personalised rehabilitation interventions after knee replacement surgery.
News • 04 Dec 2018
$2.4 million program partnership to empower girls in sport
The NSW Government will invest $2.4 million in a statewide rollout of the University of Newcastle’s award-winning lifestyle program Dads And Daughters Exercising and Empowered (DADEE).
News • 03 Dec 2018
Ground breaking achievement for local soil researcher
Soil science researcher Professor Nanthi Bolan has been named on the Global Highly Cited Researchers List 2018, just in time for World Soil Day this Wednesday 5 December.
News • 30 Nov 2018
Exercise program a big HIIT for students’ fitness and mental well-being
A high intensity physical activity program targeting senior high school students has scored a positive report card, not only improving students’ fitness, but also their mental well-being.
News • 28 Nov 2018
Greater Bank and University banking on building community’s financial literacy
Two iconic Newcastle organisations have entered into an industry-first partnership, dedicated to building the financial literacy of the region’s communities.
News • 27 Nov 2018
Prestigious recognition for local historian
Recognised for her outstanding contribution to the humanities in Australia, Professor Lyndall Ryan has been elected to the Australian Academy of Humanities, which is the highest honour of achievement in this field.
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.