The Blogs: Energizing Israel with Wastes: Hopes & Hurdles

Recycling batteries, e-wastes and other wastes such as nuclear wastes in Israel is gaining traction due to the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and consumer electronics, and the understanding that a circular economy is profitable and right for the environment. The Israeli government and private sector are recognizing the importance of sustainable waste management practices. Sustainable waste management is crucial for reducing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency. As the demand for batteries continues to rise, effective recycling methods become essential to conserve valuable materials and mitigate environmental hazards associated with improper disposal.

Recycling wastes for energy: State of the R&D in Israel.

Israel is a leading player in lithium-ion battery recycling, focusing on extracting valuable metals like lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt from used batteries. This innovative approach allows these materials to be reused in the production of new batteries, contributing to a sustainable battery lifecycle.

The Israel National Research Center for Electrochemical Propulsion is also developing advanced materials and technologies for high-energy density rechargeable batteries and metal-air batteries, supporting Israel’s transition to electric vehicles and enhancing energy independence.

Research in Israel regarding nuclear waste and energy production is not extensive, but there are some relevant points related to nuclear waste management and energy production. Israel is exploring geologic disposal options for nuclear waste, including intermediate-depth borehole disposal, due to limited geological options. Current practices involve the Dimona Nuclear Research Center handling nuclear waste, raising concerns about its environmental impact and potential health effects on nearby populations.

Israel’s general waste management policy emphasizes minimization, reuse, recycling, and safe disposal of hazardous waste, with a focus on reducing waste at source and promoting recycling. The Ministry of Environmental Protection supports initiatives to reduce hazardous waste through financial incentives and regulatory measures.

Research in Israel on recycling waste into energy production is gaining momentum, driven by the country’s need to address its waste management challenges and transition towards a more sustainable energy landscape. Key developments and initiatives include the establishment of several Waste-to-Energy facilities, international partnerships, and innovative technologies.

Israel aims to transition to a circular economy by 2050, focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection has set ambitious recycling targets and greenhouse gas emission reductions, while Israel has set a goal of generating 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Overall, Israel is actively pursuing innovative waste-to-energy solutions to address its environmental challenges and support its transition to a more sustainable energy future.

Recycling wastes for energy: State of the R&D Globally.

While specific research in Israel on converting waste into battery materials is limited, international efforts are noteworthy. Researchers globally are exploring innovative methods to utilize industrial waste, such as triphenylphosphine oxide, to create energy storage solutions. These developments could inform future research directions in Israel.

The development of a battery powered by nuclear waste is a significant advancement in energy technology, offering a sustainable solution to repurpose nuclear waste. Nuclear energy, accounting for 20% of the US electricity generation, is a significant global energy source with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.

However, it also generates radioactive waste, which poses serious risks to human health and the environment. As demand for nuclear energy continues to grow, there is a need for innovative waste management solutions.

Ohio State University researchers have developed a battery that harnesses nuclear waste to generate electricity using scintillator crystals to convert gamma radiation into usable electrical energy. This innovative technology could offer a dual solution to both energy production and waste management, ensuring public safety and sustainability of nuclear energy as a viable power source.

The battery operates through a two-step conversion process: first, gamma radiation is absorbed by the scintillator crystals, which emit light as a result. This light is then captured by solar cells, which convert it into electricity. This innovative approach not only provides a means of energy generation but also utilizes radiation that would otherwise be considered waste. The prototype battery developed by the Ohio State University team is compact, measuring approximately 4 cubic centimeters, and has been tested using two radioactive sources: cesium-137 and cobalt-60, both of which are significant fission products from spent nuclear fuel.

The performance of the battery has shown promising results, with the battery generating 288 nanowatts of electricity when powered by cesium-137 and 1.5 microwatts when powered by cobalt-60. While these outputs may seem modest compared to traditional power sources, they represent a significant step forward in the development of nuclear batteries.

The researchers believe that with further advancements and the right power sources, the output of these nuclear batteries could be scaled up to meet higher energy demands. With optimization and scaling, these batteries could be designed to generate significantly more power, potentially reaching levels suitable for various applications beyond microelectronics.

One of the most significant safety features of this new battery technology is that it does not contain radioactive materials, making it a more acceptable option for specialized applications. The battery itself is safe to touch, as the gamma radiation utilized in the battery is about a hundred times more penetrating than a standard X-ray or CT scan.

The potential applications of this nuclear battery technology include use in nuclear facilities, space and deep-sea exploration, and commercial use. However, challenges such as manufacturing and cost considerations must be addressed to ensure the reliability and affordability of these batteries. Additionally, future research should focus on optimizing the design of the scintillator crystals to enhance power output.

Waste-Recyclying-to-Energy Production: Hopes & Hurdles.

Israel faces several challenges in recycling nuclear waste, e-waste, and other waste streams into energy production. These include disposal challenges, regulatory gaps, and the need for advanced technologies and international cooperation to improve waste management practices.

Nuclear waste recycling is a contentious issue due to its environmental impact and potential health effects on nearby populations. E-waste recycling poses serious health risks to Palestinians, including increased cancer rates. There is a need for formal, safe e-waste recycling facilities in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Battery recycling in Israel is limited due to the lack of a comprehensive regulatory framework. The absence of specific regulations mandating battery recycling creates a gap in ensuring sustainable practices are adopted widely. Waste-to-energy production requires advanced technologies that are not yet widely implemented in Israel. Environmental and health concerns arise from the generation of pollutants from waste-to-energy plants.

Israel’s environmental policies prioritize waste minimization and recycling, but more needs to be done to enforce these policies effectively across different waste streams. Collaboration with international partners could help Israel adopt best practices and technologies for waste management and recycling, addressing some of the current challenges.

The battery recycling market in Israel is expected to become increasingly competitive, with companies like Batte-Re anticipating regulatory changes and market dynamics. The growth of the prepaid battery recycling market from 2025 to 2031 indicates a rising focus on sustainable waste management practices, which could enhance competition and innovation in the sector.

Waste-to-Energy Initiatives.

The Israeli government is planning to establish several Waste-to-Energy (WtE) facilities to incinerate waste and generate electricity. Projects in Ramat Hovav and Jerusalem are expected to process significant amounts of waste annually, contributing to the country’s energy needs while addressing waste management challenges. Innovative technologies and startups like Co-Energy are pioneering waste conversion technologies that transform plastic and organic waste into valuable energy commodities, including electricity and biofuels. Research at institutions like Tel Aviv University is also contributing to this field.

Israel aims to transition to a circular economy by 2050, focusing on minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has set ambitious recycling targets and greenhouse gas emission reductions, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable development and environmental protection.

Israel has been actively pursuing waste-to-energy initiatives as part of its broader strategy to reduce landfill waste and enhance environmental sustainability.

Current Waste-to-Energy Plants in Central Israel.

Three new waste-to-energy plants have been approved for construction in central Israel, located at the Morasha junction, Hiriya near Tel Aviv, and Ashdod. These plants aim to reduce landfill waste and generate electricity.

Dia Anaerobic Waste Facility also located in the Eshkol region, this facility will process around 200,000 tons of organic waste annually, producing biogas for electricity and fertilizer. Construction is set to begin soon.

Kibbutz Lahav Organic Waste Facility, facility built with Doral Energy is collaborating with Kibbutz Lahav to build a facility that converts organic and animal waste into energy. This project is the first of its kind in Israel’s agricultural sector.

Kibbutz Yagyr Anaerobic Digester is a small-scale facility converts kitchen food waste into biogas, used for heating water, and produces fertilizer for gardening.

The Maale Adumim Waste-to-Energy Plant is planned for the West Bank, this plant is expected to open in 2025 and serve the Jerusalem metropolitan area.

Anaerobic Recycling Facilities.

The government plans to establish 10-20 anaerobic recycling facilities across Israel, focusing on organic waste management

Current and future developments include the construction of Israel’s first major waste-to-energy power plant near Ma’aleh Adumim Plant (located near Ma’aleh Adumim, serving the Jerusalem metropolitan area, the tech used is an advanced waste sorting and energy recovery, its cost is estimated at NIS 1 billion, its expected operations start in about six years.

The Eshkol Facility, located near the Eshkol Regional Council area, Negev Desert, the tech used is anaerobic digestion; it can handle 200,000 tonnes of waste annually; its can produce 6.3 megawatts of electricity and 38,000 tonnes of compost; Central Israel Plant located at the Morasha junction, Hiriya, and Ashdod, its budget reaches NIS 2.8 billion through a public-private partnership.

Future developments include the establishment of more waste-to-energy and anaerobic recycling facilities, with opportunities for international partnerships. Israeli startups are innovating waste conversion technologies, offering solutions for efficient energy production from waste.

Ohio State’s Nuclear Waste Battery: A Catalyst for Israeli Research.

Ohio State’s Nuclear Waste Battery project has sparked interest in building batteries from waste, e-waste, and other materials. The innovative approach of using scintillator crystals and solar cells to convert gamma radiation into electricity could inspire Israeli researchers to explore similar technologies for other waste types. The success of this project underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research, combining materials science, nuclear engineering, and renewable energy.

The nuclear battery is designed for high radiation environments, such as space or deep-sea exploration. Israeli researchers could explore similar niche applications for batteries made from other waste types, leveraging their defense and aerospace expertise. The concept could be scaled up or adapted for other waste streams, potentially enabling Israeli companies to recycle e-waste or industrial waste into energy storage solutions.

Regulatory and environmental considerations are critical, and Israeli researchers could focus on developing technologies that address similar environmental challenges. The success of the Ohio State project was supported by significant funding from U.S. government agencies, and Israeli researchers could seek similar funding opportunities or international collaborations to advance their own waste-to-energy projects.

Future directions include integrating innovative battery technologies into Israel’s waste management and renewable energy efforts, enhancing its strong startup ecosystem, and strengthening educational and research infrastructure. The American breakthrough in nuclear battery technology could inspire Israeli researchers to explore novel methods for converting waste into energy, fostering innovation and collaboration across different scientific disciplines.

Waste Recycling Research Future Directions.

Israel is making significant strides in battery recycling and waste management, with companies like Batte-Re and the Israel National Research Center for Electrochemical Propulsion leading the way. Future research should focus on establishing a regulatory framework for battery recycling, enhancing market competitiveness, and exploring innovative technologies for waste-to-energy conversion. By addressing these challenges, Israel can position itself as a leader in sustainable battery recycling and waste management, contributing to a greener future.

— Frederic Eger

References:

https://www.btselem.org/settlements/20191030_israeli_waste_to_energy_plant_to_be_established_unlawfully_in_west_bank;

https://www.timesofisrael.com/three-additional-waste-to-energy-plants-greenlighted-for-central-israel;

https://english.news.cn/20230823/574e628ba7b44d868ee9d1a26e6d0b58/c.html;

https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/israel-waste-treatment-market-opportunities-us-companies;

https://nocamels.com/2024/08/plastic-into-power-startup-changing-face-of-waste-conversion;

https://themedialine.org/headlines/israel-to-build-advanced-electricity-generation-facility-from-waste;

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/energyterminal/electricity/israel-seeks-new-site-to-dump-nuclear-waste-/7701;

https://www.newarab.com/analysis/waste-israels-nuclear-programme-poisoning-palestinians;

https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-deadly-trash-trade-is-poisoning-palestinians-in-the-west-bank;

https://prc.org.uk/en/post/4641/report-israel-s-lethal-disposal-of-nuclear-waste;