A groundbreaking Israeli pilot project combining academic research and real-world implementation is offering a new way to supply Sabbath-friendly electricity to Orthodox Jewish communities while also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev announced on Thursday.

Developed through a study at the Beer-Sheva-based university and now being built in the city of Bnei Brak, the initiative uses energy storage systems to collect renewable electricity during the week and deliver it during the Sabbath in a way that complies with Jewish law.

The “kosher electricity” research findings were recently presented to the Ministry of Energy. The initiative is part of a larger national effort to reduce dependence on polluting energy sources and improve energy security.