US and Israel sign deal to establish energy research centre

The US Department of Energy has entered an implementation agreement with the Israeli Energy Ministry to set up the US-Israel Center of Excellence in Energy, Engineering and Water Technology.

The development comes after the US Congress allocated $4m for the Department of Energy in March to establish the centre for joint research and development with Israel.

Israel and private sector partners will also contribute to the project, with $16m in initial funding.

The centre is aimed at advancing energy research and security between the two countries.

US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said: “The partnership between our two countries has long advanced the cause of freedom, dignity, and peace and, as we are highlighting today, the joint quest for science and innovation.”

The project will focus on accelerating development and deployment of critical and innovative technologies for fossil energy, energy cybersecurity in critical infrastructure, the energy-water nexus, and energy storage.

The partners will also focus on other areas of energy in an effort to diversify energy supply and promote higher efficiency.

Under the agreement, the US and Israel will also collaborate on areas such as additional R&D cooperation, technology-transfer best practices from academic institutions and National Laboratories for application by industry in both nations.

The collaboration will also include workforce training and educational programmes, as well as student and postdoctoral exchange.

The latest project builds on the BIRD Energy programme, which began in 2009 between the two countries and invested $4.8m in five clean energy projects.