Affordable and Clean Energy
Policy Development for Clean Energy Technology
Through research, evidence, partnerships and engagement, the University of Newcastle informs and supports government policy development in clean energy and energy-efficient technologies at local, regional, national and global levels.
Local government
The University works with Lake Macquarie City Council and Dantia through the Circular Economy Living Lab (CELL), a place-based partnership supporting Lake Macquarie's transition towards a lower-carbon, circular economy. The University's Institute for Regional Futures developed the evidence base for CELL's strategy and operational plan, including assessment of the policy environment, funding opportunities, regional conditions and international examples of good practice. It provides a real-world setting where Council, researchers, businesses and community partners can test circular-economy solutions.
Read more about the University’s Living Labs.
Regional and state government
At the NSW level, the University contributes research and technical expertise through government-linked energy initiatives including the NSW Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub and the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub. These platforms connect researchers, industry and government to develop and share knowledge, pilot technologies, inform government programs and support energy and climate policy.
The NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub and Energy and Resources Knowledge Hub are hosted or co-led through the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources and provide an ongoing mechanism for collaboration with NSW Government.
In 2025, the University's TRaCE program continued to bring government, industry and research together around clean-energy commercialisation. A national showcase at Callaghan brought more than 150 participants together and opened new Advanced Prototyping and Modern Manufacturing facilities, helping translate clean-energy priorities into regional technology development, skills and investment.
Read more about the 2025 TRaCE Showcase.
(L-R) Director of NIER, Professor Alan Broadfoot; Federal Member for Newcastle Ms Sharon Claydon MP; Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise at the UNSW Professor Bronwyn Fox; University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky AO
Regional transition planning
University research is also informing planning for the Hunter's transition from coal. In 2025, Associate Professor Hedda Askland and the Institute for Regional Futures published the My Muswellbrook report after extensive engagement with residents affected by the future closure of Mt Arthur Coal.
The report provides 12 recommendations and nine principles for a community-supported mine-closure strategy, covering future land use, workforce skills and employment, economic diversification, local business opportunities, Indigenous knowledge, community ownership and transparent governance. These recommendations provide government, industry and regional stakeholders with evidence for planning a socially and economically resilient transition.
Read more about My Muswellbrook and the region's transition beyond coal.
National government
At national level, the University contributes research capability to Australian Government clean-energy programs. Through the International Hydrogen Research Collaboration, managed by CSIRO on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, University researchers contribute technical research intended to accelerate development of Australia's hydrogen industry.
Associate Professor Jafar Zanganeh's International Hydrogen Research Collaboration fellowship is one example of this national government-supported research partnership.
Global and international government
Internationally, the University works with governments and intergovernmental organisations through its Pacific partnerships. A five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Samoa's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment supports clean-energy and coastal-resilience research, training and knowledge exchange, including capability to design, implement and monitor joint projects and contribute to policy development.
The Samoa clean-energy and coastal-resilience partnership covers renewable-energy production, grid integration, waste-to-energy and the development of policies, research designs and educational resources.
Through the Pacific Node and partnership with SPREP, the University also collaborates across Pacific governments on climate resilience, environmental governance, waste management and sustainable fuels, helping connect research with regional environmental and energy policy.
Across these partnerships, the University uses research evidence, technical expertise and collaborative planning to help governments and communities make informed decisions about clean-energy technologies and the transition to lower-carbon economies.
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.