DOE and Israel Agree to Increase Cooperation on Renewable Energy and Efficiency Technologies
May 21, 2008
DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Alexander (Andy) Karsner and the Director General of Israel's Ministry of National Infrastructure Yehezkel (Hezi) Kugler on May 21, 2008, signed an agreement to further U.S. and Israel cooperation on advanced renewable energy and efficiency technologies.
The Implementation Agreement establishes a framework for future cooperation. Activities include but are not limited to collaborative research and development of new and improved sources of high-temperature thermal energy storage; electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle battery technologies and utilization approaches; biofuel production and use, including enzyme catalysts for conversion of biomass to biofuel, using microalgae to produce biofuels, and boosting production by taking advantage of power plant CO2 emissions to accelerate algae growth; and advanced technologies for efficient water desalinization techniques, such as photovoltaic-powered reverse osmosis.
Activities under this Implementation Agreement could include information exchanges, seminars, programs for research visits, exchange of personnel between research establishments, joint research and development projects, and collaboration between leading research and development centers in the United States and Israel.
Under the agreement, both parties will designate members of a Bilateral Working Group to promote and manage cooperative activities.
