The study aims to provide an economic model for optimizing the future power grid by solving a linear programming optimization problem. Linear programming is a common method for solving optimization problems for practical and multidimensional design problems. This method is used for determining the optimal electricity network structure, which is required to supply the future electricity demand of the Israeli electricity sector at minimal cost (minimum investment of resources). The objective function includes various constraints, such as meeting the government’s national targets for a desired mix of renewable energies, ensuring the reliability of the electricity network, and stabilizing the fluctuations in the amounts fed into the grid. Feasible solutions satisfy all the constraints. The model proposed in this study assumes a competitive electricity economy in which electricity production is determined according to the two-stage model of Milstein and Tishler. To date, Eyal began the introduction to the literature review of the traditional structure of electricity markets and the trend of the transition of future electricity markets to zero-carbon electricity markets. Specifically, it focuses on the structure and costs of the transmission and distribution network. He has also participated at the 80th Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago, USA, and in the Araba Region at the 51st Annual Conference for Science and Environment. Additionally, Drivers of Urban Sustainability Development in Israeli Cities was published in the ecological journal Ecology and Environment, 14(1).

Over the course of the research fellowship, Lior has been actively engaged in the establishment of The Israel Futuristic Electricity System Research Lab, collaborating closely with esteemed PhD candidates and industry professionals who specialize in electricity policy. This exciting initiative includes the invaluable contributions of renowned academics, such as Professor Itai Sened, Professor Asher Tishler, Professor Vered Blass, and Dr. Irena Milstein. Within this dynamic forum, Lior had the privilege of presenting my work on two occasions. During the first presentation, he shared insights from a report he published as a chapter in the Bank of Israel’s annual report. This report focused on environmental and energy policy in Israel, particularly in relation to the nation’s determined contribution to the IPCC. The presentation highlighted the critical aspects of environmental considerations in shaping Israel’s energy policies. The second presentation provided an overview of his ongoing PhD thesis, which is centered on investigating the economic feasibility of introducing nuclear energy for electricity production in Israel. This comprehensive thesis is developed in close collaboration with his supervisors, and its outline is meticulously structured. The study commences with an introduction that sets the context and significance of examining nuclear energy implementation. The subsequent literature review explores energy markets and electricity markets, encompassing various elements like production, transmission, distribution, supply, and the role of Independent System Operators (ISOs). Competitive and centralized models in electricity markets are also scrutinized, with a specific focus on Israel’s unique electricity market.  Another essential aspect of the thesis explores the technical, safety, economic, and environmental facets of nuclear energy in electricity production. Throughout this section, Lior delves into models of optimal capacity mix, considering the interplay between nuclear technology, natural gas, photovoltaic cells, and storage solutions. As the report concludes, he reflects on the significant progress made during the past year, which includes formulating the thesis outline, advancing the literature review, and completing relevant courses. Additionally, his active participation in The Israel Futuristic Electricity System Research Lab has been instrumental in shaping his research journey. The upcoming phases entail finalizing the literature review, conducting empirical analysis, and preparing the crucial results and conclusions section of the thesis.

After a comprehensive study in which articles and previous studies were reviewed about virtual power plants and the correlation between the load profile of an institution and the storage volume of a fleet of electric vehicles, it was found that such a study does not exist and it is possible that the establishment of a network of chargers for long-term parking lots may exist only in a model of sharing and diverting loads to the network. A literature review was performed about the previous studies, and the engineering challenges involved in building such a model were studied. It was decided that Ben Gurion Airport would be a case study for implementing the model, and contact was made with the airport managers to coordinate cooperation and receive energy consumption data. During the second semester, a mathematical model was built in which the objective function was to minimize energy consumption, but in a mid-term meeting, it was determined that it would be better to build a model that would maximize the economic profit and also minimize the energy losses.

Over the winter of 2022, Eitan conducted research at IIT Madras in Tamil Nadu, working in the research groups of Professor Kumar and Professor Pradeep. The bulk of the research conducted in Tamil Nadu was the thorough assessment of the environment surrounding the Hindustan Unilever thermometer factory site in Kodaikanal. This factory was found in 2001 to have been – for 18 years – dumping large amounts of mercury-contaminated material into the adjacent forest, selling mercury-contaminated scrap without disclosure, and storing said scrap on its own property to ensure it leaked to poison the surrounding environment. A 3D map of the sampling sites assessed is provided in Figure 1. Eitan proposes a new and highly critical policy perspective on this topic, ‘The Right to Remediation,’ for both the environment and its residents. This policy perspective will be supported by insights from ecological chemistry and environmental engineering and will be applied to the intersection of national and supranational policy that dictates the regulatory framework in which mercury continues to poison our world. Furthermore, Eitan worked on three other projects during the year: Development of Novel Recyclable Platform for the Removal of Mercury from Water combining nano, meso, and macroporous materials to generate high performance, high throughput, mercury selective reactive medium; the platform Eitan developed for mercury could be adapted for lithium, and applied to the brine produced by existing desalination processes, where the concentration is up to three times higher; and Affordable Self-maintaining Ultrafiltration Home Water Treatment, for which Eitan developed an entirely mechanical solution to this problem in the form of a device that requires no electronic components, and thus can be manufactured at very low cost.