The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoE), and the Israel Innovation Authority convened an Executive Committee meeting on December 9, 2024, to finalize the allocation of $7.5 million in funding for five clean energy projects under the Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy program. These projects, valued at a total of $16 million, focus on energy efficiency, hydrogen energy, recycling, and storage.

Established in 2009 under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, BIRD Energy fosters U.S.-Israel collaboration in research and development to advance sustainable energy technologies. Its mission includes enhancing economic competitiveness, creating jobs, and bolstering energy security. Funded projects must involve partnerships between one U.S. and one Israeli entity or between a company from one country and a university or research institution from the other. Projects are selected through a rigorous review process based on technological merit, commercialization potential, and mutual benefits for both nations. Recipients must contribute at least 50% to project costs and commit to repayments if commercial success is achieved.

The five approved projects include:

1. Lucy Borchard Shipping (Israel) and Newlight Marine Technologies (U.S.): Developing and testing hydrogen as a dual fuel for marine engines to advance sustainable shipping.

2. Nitrofix (Israel) and 1S1 Energy (U.S.): Creating the next generation of green ammonia.

3. OASIX Energy (Israel) and EN-POWER GROUP (U.S.): Demonstrating a high-efficiency heat pump paired with dual-thermal energy storage for residential buildings.

4. Phinergy (Israel) and New York Power Authority (U.S.): Showcasing aluminum-air technology as a clean alternative to emergency generators.

5. Plasticback (Israel) and Freepoint Eco-Systems (U.S.): Advancing chemical recycling of PVC waste streams.

Dr. Andrew Light, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs, emphasized the program’s role in strengthening U.S.-Israel energy innovation and tackling global climate challenges. He highlighted BIRD Energy’s history of promoting impactful collaborations that drive clean energy solutions.

Yossi Dayan, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, praised the program’s contribution to global energy innovation and market access for Israeli and U.S. companies. He expressed confidence in the selected projects’ ability to promote low-emission energy systems.

Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, emphasized the program’s alignment with global trends in renewable energy investment and its role in boosting Israeli companies' global competitiveness. Jaron Lotan, Executive Director of the BIRD Foundation, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting innovative partnerships and bringing these applied solutions to market for the benefit of both nations.