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Wind‐diesel sets offered as a reliable hybrid isolated power systems with reduction of fuel consumption, consists of variable speed wind turbines and fixed speed diesel engines. Load and wind energy variations cause, that the load power of the diesel genset is varied in wide range. Fixed speed generation set operates with the best efficiency only in a narrow range of the load, therefore implementation of a load adaptive, adjustable speed genset may additionally reduce fuel consumption.

Analysis of the system components model, simulation and laboratory tests on a small‐scale model.

Topology and output voltage control method of four‐wire adjustable speed autonomous wind‐diesel system dedicated for isolated power plants with high wind penetration.

The paper presents only part of the work which has to be done for the complete system. Load and energy management has to be applied in standalone system, as not in each operating point of proposed wind‐diesel system, can rated load be supplied. To fully prove the proposed system and control concept, tests of megawatt range system are advisable. To evaluate the fuel saving, a real wind and load profile in a selected isolated place is needed.

Every adjustable speed generation systems can save fuel. However, proposed topology in main part consists of known and implemented solutions, therefore costs of the new installation will not be increased significantly.

Proposed costs effective topology of adjustable speed wind‐diesel generation system has not been presented by any other authors. Standalone operation of doubly fed induction generator system is rarely reported in the papers.

The aim of this paper is to follow an analytic-deductive approach to realize the issues related to the present power crisis and growing demand of backup power systems (BPSs), especially in India. It not only explores the need of high-cost BPSs in the current scenario but also puts an emphasis to reduce the running cost through parametric optimizations.

Literature review identifies dependency of every sector on BPS and also highlights present and future challenges erupting in this age of power scarcity. Different improvement initiatives being used to improve efficiency of BPS have been studied, but quite rare application of Six Sigma in BPS sector, in actual was found. A define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) model of Six Sigma is being suggested and practiced for bringing a breakthrough in efficiency or mileage of a diesel genset (used as a BPS).

Importance of BPS cannot be ignored, particularly in developing countries, but feeble effort was seen to improve its power generation cost. An imprecise and outdated framework used for bringing a change in the BPS sector is unable to increase its overall equipment efficiency. The diversified methodology of Six Sigma has been successfully implemented through a case study discussed and further validates the approach adopted to tackle the problem formulated further in the paper.

The whole work more or less revolves around the Indian energy scenario and seems to be talking about the power generation process and its optimization, in context of only diesel genets as BPS.

The paper outlines the need for energy reform in industry. The DMAIC approach of Six Sigma in the BPS sector is too infrequent and next, motivates to reduce BPS cost and its associated expenditures, which are generally ignored.

Corporate Strategy, Vertical integration, Diversification.

Graduate.

The case discusses the evolution, decline and turnaround of Mahindra Powerol, a division inside the large Indian business group, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). The Powerol division had its genesis from the then Farm Equipment Sector, when they used the surplus capacity in the tractor manufacturing facilities to produce and sell power generators (Gensets). Powerol capitalized on the rapid growth of the Indian telecommunications sector and the need for power backup at remote locations for the mobile communication towers. Adopting a lean asset model, it transformed the industry ecosystem and grew rapidly. As the telecom opportunity saturated, Powerol performance declined, but quickly rebound as it diversified into other products. As Powerol continues its diversification journey, there are questions about how Powerol can leverage the lean asset model that was their source of competitive advantage in the Gensets market, into other businesses.

Introduce the fundamental logic of vertical integration. The case elucidates how and when a firm vertically integrates/outsources its operations.

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request Teaching notes Instructional Note and Case consent form.

Strategic management, sustainable development, business economics, construction management, energy management.

Undergraduate and Master's level business and management programmes with a focus on environmental or strategic management.

Fewer than two percent of Guinea Bissau's rural households had access to electricity from the grid. Efforts by the state monopoly to improve that figure by expanding the grid have had little effect, in part because the rural population was sparse. Central Electronics Limited, a public sector based company in India, was assigned to develop economic solar systems as a safe and eco-friendly substitute for the diesel gensets under IBSA (a trilateral, developmental initiative among India, Brazil, and South Africa) with the help of United Nations Development Program. The case provides an opportunity to examine the strategy of a small and poor nation to meet the needs of modern energy sources needed for improvement in health, education, transportation, and commercial development. The case focuses on Guinea Bissau's use of a trilateral partnership to achieve its rural electrification objectives despite several push backs.

Students will demonstrate ability to analyse, comprehend, and evaluate the essence of solar energy as an alternate for costly grid energy in the initial stage of development. It will also provide students to converse with the specific advantages of solar systems over conventional power generating systems and construct a novel solution that serves the needs of various stakeholders at the bottom of the income pyramid.

Teaching note.

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

When profits in tractor manufacturing declined, Mahindra Powerol (part of the large Indian business group, Mahindra & Mahindra) used the surplus capacity to produce and sell power generators (Gensets), capitalizing on the rapid growth of the Indian telecommunications sector and the need for power backup at remote locations for the mobile communication towers. Adopting a lean asset model, it transformed the industry ecosystem and grew rapidly. As the telecom opportunity saturated, Powerol performance declined, but bounced back as it diversified into other products.

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Interest in battery energy storage systems (BESS) is high, and technologies such as Li-ion (and other advanced chemistry) batteries in specific use cases are already economically viable. In this paper, the authors build further on the authors' previously published paper1 to estimate the potential positive impact that accelerated adoption of Li-ion batteries for stationary storage per the authors' identified already economically viable use cases, can have both on India's macro-economy and current account deficit as well as in helping meaningfully accelerate circular economy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) benefits of green economy transition.

The authors identified key challenges for development of BESS ecosystem and applied quantitative and qualitative assessment methodology for rapid adoption of BESS in India. The authors' study was validated through interviews with stakeholders and the authors summarize applicable findings for emerging countries such as India to encourage faster, wider adoption of energy storage.

The authors' study provides key policy recommendations to achieve a better balance in policy focus—not only for electronic vehicles (EVs) and utility-scale storage, but also for stationary behind-the-meter storage through key policy measures including placing a CESS on diesel generators (DGs), differential tariffs, encouraging advanced battery imports as a way to reduce crude oil imports, green financing and investments in de-carbonized energy breakthrough technologies (e.g. gravity-based energy storage systems). The authors recommend key technology priorities and strategic business rationale for private sector efforts by developing competitive advantages for non-battery hardware and software and expanding into emerging markets, with potential US$15–20+bn enterprise value.

While the dominant discourse focuses on EVs and utility scale applications of storage, the authors' paper shows the larger near term opportunity for impact is in stationary storage that too in end-user adoption use cases.

Priorities of decarbonizing the mining sector together with an availability of cost-effective technological solutions lead renewable energy (RE) to become an attractive energy source for the mining industry. Several pilot projects are run as hybrid systems, providing additional capacity to traditional energy systems. The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical model as a decision-making tool. The decision refers to a replacement of the fossil fuel system contains by the hybrid system in the sense of no return.

Four systems are considered. System one contains only a diesel plant. System two consists of a hybrid energy system with a photovoltaic (PV) part and a genset as back-up. System three includes a conventional natural gas combined cycle (CGCC) plant. Finally, system four covers a hybrid energy system with a PV part and CGCC turbine. The mathematical model is based upon the well-known concept of levelized cost of electricity.

The scenarios account for the degradation rate of PV modules, the PV yields of mines in different locations and the greenhouse gas emissions impact. The results show the break-even times of each scenario and the years of no return for the four systems in each scenario.

The solution of the model is performed for two case-studies. Case study 1 compares the diesel and hybrid PV-diesel systems. Case study 2 compares the CGCC and hybrid PV-natural gas systems.

This model can be generalized to all mining settings, with specific practical implications for off-grid mines.

The results of this paper bring a valuable contribution to carbon dioxide emissions reduction.

The paper aims to enhance the attention of decision-makers on fossil fuel and RE technologies increase the attractiveness of RE in powering mining operations.

The European university context reveals a high degree of gender inequality. In Italy, the overall female employment rate is significantly lower than in the rest of Europe; nevertheless, gender equality in universities is consistent with the European average. In 2006, the Italian Government required public organisations (thus state universities) to formulate positive action plans (PAPs) and disclose the positive actions planned for the following three years to promote gender equality. However, the law does not provide any guideline for the contents of the PAPs. The purpose of this paper is to analyse gender equality disclosure in PAPs to investigate whether and how Italian State Universities (ISUs) are taking a role in promoting gender equality.

The paper uses content analysis to investigate contents of gender disclosure in 28 PAPs. The authors developed a coding instrument based on the Guidelines for Gender Equality Programmes in Science.

The paper found that most PAPs are focused on creating a favourable environment for women inside the organisation, while little attention has been paid to creating gender awareness in research and teaching activities, as well as in supporting women’s leadership. The paper concludes that ISUs are failing as key players in the cultural change of the society toward gender equality.

First, the paper contributes to the accounting literature by providing an analysis of accounting for gender by universities. Second, it adds to the debate on positive actions for gender equality in the university sector.

The aim of this case study‐based paper is to study the application of Six Sigma, a breakthrough improvement strategy in the field of cell site construction of a telecom company.

This research provides action research of a Six Sigma project using DMAIC methodology carried out in cell site construction function of a telecom company. The research illustrates how the various Six Sigma tools and techniques were applied in a mutually inclusive manner in one project. The infrastructure department of the company had constructed 900 cell sites last year, out of which 150 were not according to standards and were either disapproved by the operations department or underwent maintenance soon after their use. In 2010, the company spent US$ 0.5 million on rework and maintenance at these sites, thus highlighting the urgency of the problem.

The paper shows how, after the implementation of the Six Sigma project, the company made savings worth US$ 0.45 million.

Six Sigma as a means of waste reduction has gained popularity among researchers and practitioners. The literature on the methodology of Six Sigma and the management approach towards Six Sigma is burgeoning. While various Six Sigma tools and techniques and their application are discussed in literature independent of each other, the need has arisen to observe their systematic application as they apply in a project; every company can use this breakthrough improvement strategy to improve its processes by reducing waste and deriving the financial benefits.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the fact that brand image creation is an elaborate and long‐term activity through consistent strategic initiatives and the importance of understanding customer expectations and delivering them consistently.

The paper is based mainly on the information gathered by conducting interviews with executives of the case study company (Cummins India Ltd), field sales and service team members of the company and some important customers.

Cummins in India has been the market leader in manufacturing diesel, gas, and dual fuel engines for various industrial purposes such as generating sets, industrial, mining, and marine applications. The case mainly focuses on the generating set market where customers look for a brand which can assure not only a quality product, but also quality service. It covers a series of activities initiated by Cummins India Ltd, that span about two decades to make available spare parts and service support to customers. The case is a description of the history of Cummins India creating an organizational structure with service focus, a culture of service orientation and the systems to ensure service delivery. This corporate brand image has contributed immensely to the success of the company.

The paper is based mostly on primary information gathered through interviews and provides an insight into various initiatives of a successful organization to develop a customer‐focused service strategy.