Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced the allocation of NIS 13.4 million, around $4.2 million, in grants to 18 energy startups as part of its effort to strengthen innovation in clean energy and infrastructure technologies. The funding is part of a national call for proposals and is aimed at supporting both early-stage research and projects that are ready for real-world demonstration.
The grants will be provided for an initial period of two years, with an option to extend support for one more year. The selected projects cover a wide range of sectors, including electricity systems, electric mobility, water management, mining, energy storage, and alternative fuels. According to the ministry, all supported projects must demonstrate that their technologies can work under actual Israeli market and regulatory conditions.
Out of the 18 selected projects, seven were approved under the startup track, which focuses on developing new prototypes. The remaining 11 projects were funded under the pioneer and demonstration tracks. These projects are considered closer to commercial deployment and are expected to reach the market more quickly.
One of the projects drawing attention is from eStreet Company, which plans to integrate electric vehicle charging stations into existing urban light poles. The solution is designed to address the lack of charging infrastructure in crowded cities where many residents do not have private parking. By using existing streetlight networks, the company aims to reduce installation costs and make EV charging more accessible for city residents.
In the agriculture sector, Solarwin received funding for a smart solar shading system designed for jojoba plantations. The system uses solar panels installed on adjustable frames to provide shade for crops while also generating clean electricity. Sensors and artificial intelligence software adjust the shading based on crop needs and weather conditions, helping improve water efficiency and land use through agro-voltaic farming.
Another funded project comes from BSP, which is developing a buoy-based technology that generates electricity from shallow ocean waves as low as 20 centimeters. This system is designed to suit Israel’s coastal conditions and could offer a small-scale renewable energy solution for coastal areas.
The MGSI Partnership is also among the recipients, using satellite images and artificial intelligence to improve quarry monitoring. Its system can track mining activity remotely, calculate material volumes, and support regulatory oversight, reducing costs and improving transparency.
Other funded technologies include hydrogen production from industrial flares, satellite-based mining monitoring, and accelerators for artificial intelligence applications in the energy sector. One hydrogen-focused project received NIS 1.5 million, while an AI accelerator project was awarded NIS 870,000.
The grants were awarded through the Ministry’s Chief Scientist Unit. The ministry noted that this year’s call attracted more than double the number of proposals compared to previous rounds, reflecting growing interest in energy innovation. Additional funding rounds are being considered in partnership with other government bodies, with future focus areas expected to include waste-to-energy, green hydrogen, alternative fuels, agro-voltaics, and education initiatives.
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