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 • 29 Aug 2018
Electric partnership powers energy innovation
A powerful new industry-research collaboration is signaling the emergence of a new renewable energy market – organic printed solar.
News • 29 Aug 2018
Rural Mental Health podcast creates positive waves
A University of Newcastle podcast series designed to encourage rural communities talk about mental health has been recognised for its impact.
News • 27 Aug 2018
A new APProach to nutrition education in pregnancy wins 3MT competition
Condensing months of research work into a three minute explainer, some of the University’s brightest rising research stars competed for first place at the 2018 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Final, held last Friday.
News • 27 Aug 2018
Jobs of the future to stem from new aerospace and renewable energy degrees
Australia’s future aerospace and renewable energy engineers are set to emerge from the Hunter following the launch of two brand new degrees at the University of Newcastle (UON).
News • 22 Aug 2018
‘Water from thin air’ recognised for industry innovation
Professor Behdad Moghtaderi has been recognised for innovation in the water industry, receiving a Hunter Water Night of Innovation Gala award for his ‘water from thin air’ project.
News • 17 Aug 2018
Opening new possibilities at University
Are you interested in undergraduate study, pathways to university or expanding your career with postgraduate study?
News • 17 Aug 2018
Researchers recognised for their scientific contributions
Dr Andrew Gardner and Dr Serene Yoong have been announced as winners of the prestigious 2018 NSW Young Tall Poppy Science Awards.
News • 16 Aug 2018
Funding success to address chronic disease
Researchers from the University of Newcastle have received more than $5.8 million in NHMRC funding to tackle chronic disease.
News • 15 Aug 2018
Nanotechnologist honoured with CRSI Medal
Globally-acclaimed material scientist and Australia’s leading nanotechnologist, Professor Ajayan Vinu will be recognised with the prestigious Council of the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) medal.
News • 14 Aug 2018
OPINION: Now is the time to care about older people
We all have rights that are protected under United Nations conventions. Do we need extra safeguards to protect these rights for older people?
News • 14 Aug 2018
Central Coast Health staff helping to grow next generation of doctors
The University of Newcastle has celebrated its partnership with the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) medical staff, acknowledging the important contribution they make in supporting the country’s next generation of doctors.
News • 13 Aug 2018
International clean energy symposium
International researchers, engineers, academics and industry professionals united at a symposium in Newcastle this week to explore long term solutions for energy production.
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.