US-Israel clean energy projects to receive 6 million dollars in funding

Projects currently valued at $12.4m. and set to benefit from BIRD Energy’s latest investment operate in the fields of solar, microgrid, storage and energy efficiency.

By EYTAN HALON
Updated: DECEMBER 3, 2018 03:19
Heliostat mirrors reflect the sky in a field at the construction site of a 240 meter (787 feet) solar-power tower in Israel's southern Negev Desert, February 8, 2016. The world's tallest solar-power tower is being built off a highway in the Negev Desert in southern Israel, its backers hoping the tec (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
Heliostat mirrors reflect the sky in a field at the construction site of a 240 meter (787 feet) solar-power tower in Israel's southern Negev Desert, February 8, 2016. The world's tallest solar-power tower is being built off a highway in the Negev Desert in southern Israel, its backers hoping the tec
(photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and Israel’s Energy Ministry, together with the Innovation Authority, have selected seven American-Israeli clean energy projects to receive $6 million under the Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy program.
Founded in 2009, BIRD Energy is part of the BIRD Foundation, formed by US and Israeli governments in 1977 to generate mutually beneficial cooperation between companies in both countries. Since its establishment, BIRD Energy has funded 43 joint projects, with Sunday’s announcement bringing total investment to $34m.
Projects currently valued at $12.4m. and set to benefit from BIRD Energy’s latest investment operate in the fields of solar, microgrid, storage and energy efficiency.
“The Department of Energy continues its strong support for collaborative research with Israel through the BIRD Energy program,” said US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.
“The program brings together the brightest minds from innovative companies and institutes to develop and commercialize new energy technologies that deliver tangible economic benefits to both countries.”
Projects qualifying for funding must include one American and one Israeli company, or a company from one of the countries paired with a university or research institution from the other. Projects must involve energy innovation and be of mutual interest to both countries.
Among those selected are Even Yehuda-based Nostromo and Washington-based Centrica’s development of IceBrick – which aims to shift electricity grid peak demand using disruptive ice-battery technology – and Herzliya-based OneOPI and New York-based Presidio’s automated simulation system and service for intelligence microgrid systems.
“We feel very privileged to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our binational program with the DOE,” said Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz.
“The BIRD Energy program is undoubtedly a success story of cooperation based on the strategic vision of the two economies.... This success is a result of a true commitment by both governments who continuously seek opportunities to expand energy related collaboration that benefits both Israel and the US.”
Under the program, selected partnerships must contribute at least 50% to project costs. BIRD funding is repaid as royalties should the project enjoy commercial success.