Created as a result of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and designed as the energy arm of the 40-year-old BIRD Foundation, BIRD Energy has stimulated, promoted, and supported joint industrial R&D that benefits both the United States and Israel. It focuses on commercializing sustainable energy technologies that improve economic competitiveness, create jobs, and increase energy security.
Since its inception in 2009, BIRD Energy has approved 42 projects with a total investment of about $30 million, attracting more than $200 million in venture capital and other follow-on funding to commercialize clean energy technologies. Over the last seven years, four BIRD Energy projects reached the commercialization stage, including a self-powered wireless sensor for monitoring energy use in buildings, a new enzyme for the production of biodiesel, a utility-scale solar concentrated photovoltaic system employing a new active cooling module, and a new system to facilitate wind speed and power output forecasting for wind generation.
Deadlines:
- Executive Summary – July 1, 2024
- Final Proposal – Sep. 5, 2024
To be considered, a project proposal should include:
- R&D cooperation between two companies or cooperation between a company and a university/ research institution (one from the U.S. and one from Israel)
- Innovation in all areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency, such as solar and wind power, advanced vehicle technologies and alternative fuels, smart grid, storage, water-energy nexus, advanced manufacturing, AI for energy management,etc.
- Innovation that scales up carbon-free technologies and reduces carbon emissions
- Innovation in natural gas and other associated technologies that reduces its climate impact
- Significant commercial potential; the project outcome should lead to commercialization
The maximum conditional grant is $1.5 M per project.