Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify the alternative future scenarios for the international biomass market until the year 2020 and identify underlying steps needed toward a vital working and sustainable biomass market for energy purposes. Design/methodology/approach – Two...

Purpose – Based on literature and an empirical case, the purpose of this paper is to present a framework for decision‐making in utilities where unbundling considerations are taking place. The paper analyses the implications of splitting long‐term network planning activity from the...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the key outage‐cost‐influencing applications (fault location and network restoration, fault reporting, field crew management, and reconfiguration) of the distribution management system (DMS) and analyzes the benefits provided by them. The...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish a methodological framework to address key issues in electricity distribution network development. The paper defines subtasks in the strategy process and presents key elements in the strategy work and long‐term network planning. The results...

Purpose – Underground cabling has become a true alternative in construction of electricity distribution networks, even in rural areas. The increasing amount of underground installations requires strategic work that helps to define the most profitable cabling targets. The purpose of this paper...

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to analyze the development needs and opportunities in the distribution system operators’ (DSO) tariff structures in the smart-grid environment. Design/methodology/approach – The impacts of the distribution pricing schemes for the stakeholders and their...

Purpose – A control chart is a widely used Six Sigma DMAIC process measure and control phase tool. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body of knowledge on applying statistical process control (SPC) methods in a pulp mill production organization and the special issues that need...

Purpose – Fusion of new technologies and convergence has led to the emergence of new industries. This paper aims to present experiences of the concept of convergence from a patent citation analysis viewpoint. The main objective of the paper is to develop a tool for anticipating the emerging...