GE looks to create wind, solar and smart grid technologies with Israeli engineers.
Already in a number of clean technology partnership projects, including solar energy and desalination, America’s giant electrical products company, General Electric – GE – is setting up a “multidisciplinary” research and development center in Haifa Israel Globes reports. The center, the cost which is estimated to be between $3-5 million, will concentrate in research in medical devices, water, and clean energy. Twelve researchers will be hired to staff the center, which will bring to a total of 462 GE employees working in Israel. What’s going on with GE in the Holy Land?
Better Place electric car company also works with GE.
There are many multinational development centers in Israel, and American companies are always looking for Israeli clean tech “partners” to work with. Some of these ventures include renewable energy, electric cars, water conservation, and those in the health and bio technology fields.
The new GE research team will focus on renewable energy, energy storage, smart grid, and energy efficiency technologies.
Many of these types of projects are already well under way in Israel, especially by the many “start up” companies located there.
The new center will be headed by Oded Meirav, a previous VP of business development at GE Global Research Center for the past four years. Just a few of the Israel companies that Mierav has had GE connect to include the electric car technology company Better Place, Solar Energy company SolarEdge, and inflatable wind turbine company WinFlex Ltd.
Other projects dealing with water desalinization and water monitoring and purification will be part of the R & D work at the new facility.
The new Haifa facility will round out its research projects with some in the health fields dealing with non invasive medical diagnostic devices.
GE Global Research VP advanced technologies Michael Idelchik said: “Israel has a rich history of innovation and scientific discovery .With the establishment of the new R&D center, we will be in a better position to build a close relationship with the Israeli technology community and identify new technologies that could become part of our portfolio.”
Photo images from the GE: WinFlex
Read more on Israeli clean tech:
Start up Nation Book Looks at Israel’s Hi Tech Industry and Insights into Clean Tech
Better Place Gets a “Charge” With GE Partnership
SolarEdge Solar Company Lip Dubs Light On for New Year Cheer
Israeli Companies Winners in GE Green Innovation Marathon
Author: Maurice Picow
Maurice Picow grew up in Oklahoma City, U.S.A., where he received a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. Following graduation, Maurice embarked on a career as a real estate broker before making the decision to move to Israel. After arriving in Israel, he came involved in the insurance agency business and later in the moving and international relocation fields. Maurice became interested in writing news and commentary articles in the late 1990’s, and now writes feature articles for the The Jerusalem Post as well as being a regular contributor to Green Prophet. He has also written a non-fiction study on Islam, a two volume adventure novel, and is completing a romance novel about a forbidden love affair. Writing topics of particular interest for Green Prophet are those dealing with global warming and climate change, as well as clean technology - particularly electric cars.
