U.S. and Israel Join Forces for Clean Energy Projects with $7.5 Million Investment

A US-Israeli Pact to Tackle Energy Challenges

The United States and Israel have deepened their commitment to clean energy innovation with a $7.5 million investment supporting five groundbreaking projects. Under the Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy program, this collaboration aims to unearth sustainable solutions to global energy challenges. The initiative, a joint effort by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoE), and the Israel Innovation Authority, brings together cutting-edge thinking from both nations to reshape how energy is produced, stored, and utilized across various industries.

Bridging Nations Through Technology

Created in 2009, BIRD Energy was designed to leverage the complementary expertise of U.S. and Israeli innovators to address global energy demands. By requiring partnerships that span borders—be they private companies, academic institutions, or startups—the program fosters an exchange of ideas and resources.

One of the program’s most unique elements is its shared responsibility model. Each selected project must secure funding from the private sector to match BIRD Energy’s contributions, ensuring participants are fully invested in their project’s success. This funding mechanism not only encourages accountability but also prioritizes solutions that have the potential for commercialization. The rigorous selection process evaluates each project’s technological edge and its feasibility to address real-world challenges, ensuring long-term impact and benefits for both nations.

Top 5 Innovation Clean Energy Projects Backed by BIRD Energy’s $7.5M Investment

The current round of funding supports five truly innovative endeavors, each offering a glimpse into the energy systems of the future. These projects include advancements in hydrogen fuel, sustainable packaging, and energy-efficient residential solutions. Here’s what makes these efforts stand out:

1. Sustainable Shipping Fuels – A collaboration between Lucy Borchard Shipping in Israel and Newlight Marine Technologies in the U.S. explores hydrogen as a dual fuel for marine engines. This project could cut shipping emissions, a major contributor to global pollution.

2. Eco-Friendly Ammonia Production – Israeli company Nitrofix is teaming up with U.S.-based 1S1 Energy to create green ammonia. This cleaner process has the potential to decarbonize industries that depend heavily on ammonia, including agriculture and manufacturing.

3. Energy-Smart Homes – OASIX Energy from Israel and the American EN-POWER GROUP are redesigning residential energy systems by combining high-efficiency heat pumps with innovative thermal storage technology. Their goal is to lower household energy consumption while offering greener alternatives for heating and cooling.

4. Reinventing Emergency Generators – Partnering with the New York Power Authority, Israel’s Phinergy aims to replace outdated diesel generators with aluminum-air fuel cells. This project focuses on clean, efficient power backup systems for critical infrastructure.

5. Revolutionizing Waste Recycling – To address the environmental toll of plastic waste, Israel’s Plasticback and the U.S.’s Freepoint Eco-Systems are advancing new methods for chemically recycling PVC. This development could transform how industries manage one of the most challenging forms of waste.

Strategic Leadership Driving Change

Leadership from both nations is pivotal in turning these concepts into reality. The DOE, headed by experts in energy policy, sees the partnership as integral to tackling climate issues and advancing energy independence. Meanwhile, the MoE and the Israel Innovation Authority have been instrumental in encouraging Israeli innovation, particularly within the competitive clean tech space.

Through collaborative oversight, these agencies are helping to ensure the projects align with global sustainability targets while fostering economic growth. By positioning both countries as hubs of clean energy innovation, they are opening doors to new market opportunities and industry leadership on the world stage.

A Global Blueprint for Energy Innovation

While the partnership is focused on outcomes in the U.S. and Israel, its reach will extend far beyond these borders. Hydrogen-fueled marine engines, for instance, could set a standard in shipping that other nations will adopt. Similarly, breakthroughs in ammonia production and PVC recycling may become global cornerstones in reducing emissions and waste.

Equally significant is the program’s potential to influence policy. Governments and industries worldwide may look to BIRD Energy as a roadmap for international collaboration, investment models, and the commercialization of emerging technologies.

Building a Cleaner Tomorrow

The BIRD Energy program shows that the path to a sustainable future lies in pooling resources and expertise across borders. By focusing on technologies that are both innovative and practical, this U.S.-Israeli partnership is creating a ripple effect that could redefine energy practices worldwide. With efforts such as these, energy efficiency and sustainability will evolve from challenges to opportunities, paving the way for a cleaner, more connected future.

This partnership isn’t just about developing new technologies—it’s about rewriting the rules of what’s possible in clean energy. Through bold cooperation, both nations are setting a powerful example for the rest of the world.