Informing
Policy
for Progress

Geothermal Energy – the Application Potential at the Golan Heights

A geothermal landscape in Japan, showing steam rising from fumaroles on a rocky, barren mountainside. The foreground features patches of green and reddish vegetation, while thick clouds and mist partially obscure the background. A narrow trail winds through the terrain, leading toward the steaming vents, indicating volcanic activity typical of Japan's mountainous regions.

To assess the feasibility of deriving benefits from geothermal energy in the Golan heights, the Samuel Neaman Institute convened a stakeholder forum to discuss the geothermal geo-physical potential, possible applications, policy requirements, and environmental considerations. Participants included representatives from the Geological Survey of Israel, the Ministry of Energy, the Water Authority, the Ramat Golan Regional Council, and various Israeli companies whose operations are based on heat energy—such as Ormat, Enogia, OASIX, among others.

Energy Forum 55: Energy in refrigeration and air conditioning systems

Air conditioning

Airconditioningsystemsforuseinbuildingsaredivided into twomaintypes: unitary systems and central systems. To the first type belong window air conditioners, split air conditioners and mini-central ones. These are standard systems that constitute the lion’s share of installations in residential buildings and quite a few also in public, commercial and industrial buildings. Their cooling output usually ranges from 2-15 kW […]

Energy Forum 53: Green Building in Israel

Green building, or sustainable building, is a multidisciplinary approach that seeks to use environmentally responsible and resource-efficient processes throughout the entire life cycle of the building, from choosing its location to the stages of planning, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. The Green Building Standard in Israel – Israeli Standard (SI) 5281 – was written […]

Energy Forum 52: A Nuclear Power Plant in Israel

Building a nuclear power plant has been on the agenda of the energy sector in Israel since the 1970s. As part of the decision to diversify the country’s fuel mix, following the energy crisis of the October 1973 War and the oil embargo imposed on Israel and its allies, the possibility of establishing a nuclear […]

Energy Forum 50: Agricultural land dual-use for photovoltaic electricity

The interest in agrivoltaics has emerged following the required and massive transition to renewable energy in the face of the shortage of land. This shortage will increase in the coming years due to the consequences of the climate crisis, the desertification process, dehydration and water shortages, and the expected population growth. The land is a […]

Energy Forum 49: Integrating hydrogen into the Israeli energy sector

Hydrogen is the most common element in nature but rarely exists in its pure form in nature. It is possible to produce hydrogen from water through the electrolysis process by using electricity. In addition, it is possible to produce hydrogen from organic materials, such as natural gas and coal, using several methods of reforming and […]

Energy Forum 48: Energy in a Smart City

Most of the world’s population now resides in cities. By 2030, the population of the cities around the world is expected to grow from 3.3 billion to 5 billion people. In Israel, approximately 6 million residents live in urban communities. Because of resource constraints, it may become difficult to provide all the services to city […]