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 • 03 Oct 2018
Innovation Launchpad to drive energy and resources startups
Businesses and startups in energy and resources will reap the benefit of world class research with the launch of a new research centre in Newcastle.
News • 03 Oct 2018
Ultrasound funding keeps Indigenous pregnancy program ticking
Staff at Tamworth’s Gomeroi Gaaynggal Centre breathed a deep sigh of relief today after unveiling new ultrasound equipment that allows the continuation of its vital health and research support for expectant Indigenous mothers.
News • 27 Sep 2018
Global graduate achieves a health-care first in China
A PhD student graduating today from the University of Newcastle has her sights set on supporting women with breast cancer in China, which accounts for more than ten per cent of cases worldwide.
News • 27 Sep 2018
Music producer mixes postgraduate research with career change
A highly acclaimed Australian music producer with more than two decades experience in the industry says undertaking postgraduate research at the University of Newcastle (UON), on the changing landscape of music production, was a life-changing experience.
News • 26 Sep 2018
Passport to success, engaging international students
Recognised for its outstanding support of international students, a University of Newcastle initiative has won the NSW International Student Award for community engagement in the education provider category.
News • 26 Sep 2018
Engineering a mechatronics career music to Alex’s ears
A love of technology and a passion for music has launched Alex Fairclough on an exciting trajectory.
News • 26 Sep 2018
Partnership with Cubic Defence to support career pathways
Cubic Defence Australia is partnering with the University of Newcastle on training and career pathways for simulation.
News • 26 Sep 2018
A sustainable career change for Disaster Resilience graduate
After working in the private business sector for more than 30 years, Master of Disaster Resilience and Sustainable Development student, Willow Forsyth, said she welcomed the opportunity to diversify her skill set at a world class university.
News • 20 Sep 2018
Local expertise on display at health showcase
The University of Newcastle (UON) is proud to present the Port Macquarie Health Showcase this Friday, an event bringing together the local healthcare community and leading experts in the fields of health and medicine.
News • 20 Sep 2018
Research packs positive messages for lunchbox health
Parents and carers of Hunter school children will have a helping hand in the kitchen to create healthier lunchboxes, with the support of a University of Newcastle research project.
News • 19 Sep 2018
How Hunter wine producers changed Australian drinking culture
A new book has revealed the changing historical conditions and many personalities that have helped shaped the Hunter Valley region, and Australia's drinking culture, over the past two centuries.
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.