Economic Models Ltd. is one of Israel's leading economic consulting firms and provides its subscribers and clients with focused economic analyses and forecasts, both in micro-economics and macro-economics, as well as dedicated consultancy services. Over nearly two decades, Economic Models has provided services to Israel’s leading corporations and has participated in numerous leading commercial projects in Israel. Economikr has rendered services to Economic Models Ltd in Energy, Environment, Education and R&D Economics. Sample projects are presented below.
Education and R&D
R&D Investment in Israel – Directions and Policy
This government-level project focused on R&D investments in Israel, with an emphasis on directions and policy. The project included evaluation of potential R&D investments and their effect on economic growth at the organizational level (e.g., a company who received a seed grant in its initial stages, was able to develop into a larger company, or alternatively, terminate business due to binding constraints).
Study of the Economic Level of the Arab Population in Israel
This project studied the economic advancement and opportunities of the Arab population in Israel, which represent 20% of the population and 15% of the workforce. This study was based on the Income and Household Expenditure Survey of the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Findings showed that the average household income in the Arab sector is 57% lower than that of the majority population in Israel. Additional findings cited lower participation in the workforce and lower average education, both in terms of years and degrees. During the project, three major policy recommendations were made – increasing investment in education which will in turn give the Arab population greater opportunity to participate in the workforce (particularly Arab women), thereby reducing the wage differential between the majority and Arab populations. This study was presented at the Annual Herzlia Conference, widely considered to be the leading economic conference in Israel.
Environment
Business Plan for EER, an Israeli Waste Treatment Company
One of Israel’s leading waste treatment firms, EER holds a patented technology for the treatment of three distinct types of waste: Municipal Solid Waste, Medical Waste, and Light and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste. The company produces a type of renewable energy valid for ROCs (Renewables Obligation Certificate). EER’s business plan included developing an economic model of electricity sales figures derived from renewable sources and ROCs income. This project was performed under subcontract to Economic Models. The business plan including the evaluation of several markets, such as the UK, Greece, and the state of Texas in the USA.
Energy
Evaluating the Market Structure between Israeli Gas, Palestinian Gas, Egyptian Gas, LNG, and Pipeline Gas from Russia
The project, performed for Noble Energy, focused on the current gas source alternatives for the Israeli market – self-supplied gas, supplies from British Gas from Palestinian gas fields, Liquefied Natural Gas supplied from Africa and other locales, and undersea pipeline gas supplied by Russia via Turkey. Each of these supply sources have a different minimal quantity and a cost, linked to different benchmarks such as previously existing agreements, market prices such as Henry Hub, and different types of infrastructure investments required to receive the gas – such as gas terminals and regasification plants. The evaluation included determining the possible equilibrium between the relevant supply and demand for changing prices and supply sources.
Estimation Model of Natural Gas Demand in Israel
This project estimated the demand for natural gas from various sources - Israel Electric Corporation (including replacing coal electricity supply with natural gas), direct industrial demand, cogeneration for large scale plants such as Israel Chemicals, American Israel Paper Mills (AIPM), and Independent Private Producer (IPP) demand, such as Dorad. The project included production estimation of electricity production using traditional production fuels. The estimates were based on the national electricity demand forecast, market distribution between Noble Energy and Egyptian gas, and estimating sales revenue under various price structures.
Economic Feasibility Study – Power Plant in Mishor Rotem, Israel
In this project, economic feasibility was evaluated for several types of sales models (sales to end-consumers, operation as a separate entity under the Israel Electric Corporation, or a combination of both). The study included a long-range electricity price forecast, risk analyses and other determining factors, based on the usage of two types of fuel for electricity production – natural gas and fuel oil. This project was performed for OPC (Ofer Power Company) under the auspices of Economic Models.
Evaluating Israel Oil Refineries (ORL) Production and Sales Model
ORL is Israel’s leading importer of various types of oil that lead to the development of oil-based products, including gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, bitumen, fuel oil, and fuel additives. As ORL is a government-regulated entity, this project specifically required evaluating current government regulatory requirements. This study including the usage of regression to predict future prices of various types of crude oil based on trends and market shocks.
Survey of Natural Gas Distribution Market in Israel
Performed under the auspices of Economic Models for Noble Energy, this project entailed estimating the demand from natural gas plants of varying sizes throughout Israel. It also included possible supply sources, constraints, and estimating costs for different sized organizations.
Development of a New Electricity Price Model in Israel
This project, based on the Israeli Electricity Regulation Authority (PUA) price model, included estimating the overall electricity demand and developing an investment plan at the macro-economic level. The model created for this project was used to estimate future electricity prices in Israel over the next two decades (2010-2030).