A programme funded by the US and Israeli Governments has announced $4.8 million (£3.6m) for five new clean energy projects.

The Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Energy programme is a joint partnership between the US Department of Energy, the Israel Ministry of Energy and the Israeli Innovation Authority.

The funding will support projects in the areas of hydrogen storage, advanced biofuels, sustainable transportation and energy efficiency.

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said: “The BIRD Foundation has served as a matchmaker to develop partnerships between US and Israeli researchers at the forefront of technology across the industrial spectrum.

“This kind of collaboration will be mutually beneficial and allow both countries to achieve their economic and energy security goals.”

BIRD Energy, launched in 2009, has funded 37 projects with an investment of around $30 million (£22.9m).