Alternative Energy

A large-scale solar project—Ketura Sun field—was launched in the Negev Desert in Israel by Arava Power Company, who recently partnered with Siemens. With billions of dollars to be invested, another 40 new projects are planned, hoping to boost the country's solar energy production and create jobs. 

In the early 1970s, Israel became the first country to require that every rooftop install a solar power system to generate the energy needed to heat water.
But despite that, Israel has never had a big solar power plant. Now, times are changing. The Arava Power company has finished construction of the country's first large solar facility—Ketura sun field—in the Negev Desert. It is producing five megawatts of power.

David Rosenblatt, Vice Chairman, Arava Power said: "The number of consumers that will benefit from that (new power plant) is anticipated to be 8,000, but the way that it works is that the field is directly connected to Israel's grid and the Israel electric company distributes the energy as needed." The Siemens corporation recently invested

$15 million dollars in Israeli Arava, buying 40% of the company.

The project is green and environmentally-friendly for more reasons than one. In 20 years it is projected that the land will be returned to its previous state and 99% of the materials we used will go to recycling.

Many ethnic Bedouins live in southern Israel, and with their unemployment rate exceeding 30%, many are hoping additional plants will turn into jobs needed for the construction and developing the field from scratch. 

From solar power to alternative fuels to breakthroughs in air conditioning, see why the Technion is a global leader in finding solutions to the world’s energy problems.

The Solel Company of Israel has built 12 solar power plants throughout the world, saving 300 million barrels of oil a year. It is now building the world's largest solar plant in the Mojave Desert, while producing enough energy to power 500,000 homes.

Central America is sitting on a green energy bank in the form of its active volcanoes. The potential for tapping into geothermal power in Guatemala, for example, is enormous, and the government there is offering tax breaks and other incentives for private investors.

Run by Israeli-owned Ormat Technologies Inc, the plant harnesses energy from water heated by chambers filled with molten rock deep beneath the ground. Geothermal power plants, while expensive to build, can provide a long-term, reliable source of electricity.