Over NIS 23 million ($6.3 million) will be spent by the Israeli government in the creation of first-of-their-kind innovative energy initiatives, according to an announcement made by Israel’s Energy Ministry on Sunday, Feb 20.
After responding to the ministry’s request to tender for innovations in the domains of smart transportation, water supply, and energy efficiency, nineteen entrepreneurs will have their energy products supported, The Jerusalem Post reports.
The Energy Ministry’s primary investment, at around NIS 12 million ($3.3 million), is in a project aimed at developing and transitioning to the use of hydrogen as a fuel for freight transportation vehicles. Because of its high energy density, hydrogen would be particularly beneficial as a fuel for heavy-duty transportation. One kilogram of hydrogen has the same power as one gallon of diesel fuel.
The state is investing in six freight trucks, three buses, two forklifts, and a portable hydrogen refueling device to help with the requirements required to progress and promote hydrogen in the transportation fuel market.
This is the first significant investment in hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel for heavy transport since the government expressed its support for the proposal to build Israel’s first hydrogen filling station.
Energy Minister Karin Elharrar stated that innovation is “critical to meeting the lofty targets” of net-zero carbon emissions, which she and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett established at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November.
As the global threat of climate change looms, they emphasized the significance of developing a tech-oriented, efficient, and green energy market.
“The route to establishing a dependable and green energy market remains uncertain,” the energy minister confessed, adding that she is “sure that Israeli innovators will once again lead the way.”