Israel Active

Israel is to build its first anaerobic waste facility, near the Dia landfill site close to the Gaza border. It will use sealed containers of microbes to break down 200,000 tons of agricultural and household waste annually. It will produce biogas, for the national grid, as well as high-quality fertilizer.

Dr. Shimrit Maman of Israel’s Ben-Gurion University has been appointed Vice Chair of the Earth Observation Committee at the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). This committee oversees remote-sensing satellite activities around Earth. Dr Maman was a scientist on the “Venus” satellite project.

Israel’s CropX (see previously) has integrated its agronomy platform with the digital farm and fleet management platform of German agricultural machinery manufacturer CLAAS. The data can be visualized and used to plan seeding, fertigation, and irrigation, to increase harvest yields.

A recent article about Israel’s Firedome (see previously) that merges traditional fire suppression methods with cutting-edge aerospace, military, and AI technology. Firedome is advised by Pini Yungman, one of the founders of Iron Dome and David’s Sling.

Israel’s Stepac (see previously) is changing the way broccoli and other vegetables are transported in the USA and Japan. Long-haul shipping mostly uses non-recyclable polystyrene or waxed containers. StepacPPC’s packaging is environment-friendly and holds up to 60% more vegetables.

Israel’s Rail Vision (see previously) has unveiled its Active Control System. This transforms Rail Vision from a developer of passive train driver warning systems to being able to take control of the throttle and brakes of a semi-automatic train, stopping it if danger is detected.

Israel’s Maytronics has produced some cutting-edge technology for swimming pools. Mineral Swim combines ozone–to–oxygen purification technology and 100% Dead Sea Minerals. Meanwhile, Maytronics’ Dolphin Liberty autonomous robots ensure a sparkling clean pool.

Israel’s Prof Zvi Mendel and KKL-JNF saved the sabra (prickly pear) cactus from being globally destroyed by cochineal scale insects. He found and distributed the natural predator to the scale insects - Mexico’s ladybeetle. Previously he saved infected eucalyptus trees using a parasitic wasp.

Israel’s EnSights has developed an AI-powered, cloud-based, clean energy optimization and management platform. It aims to maximize the cost and performance of a firm’s clean energy assets (solar, wind etc.). Ensights’ hundreds of users have 6,000+ renewable assets totaling over 1.6 Gigawatts.

Israel’s Eco Wave Power (EWP) inaugurates Israel’s first wave energy power plant on 5 Dec at Jaffa Port (see previously). For the first time, electricity from sea waves will power Israel’s national grid. Similar EWP projects are planned in Los Angeles and Portugal.