Finnish Critical Industries, Maritime Transport Vulnerabilities and societal Implications

Maritime transports are very essential for Finland as over 80% of the foreign trade in the country is seaborne and possibilities to carry out these transports by are limited. Any disruption in maritime transports has negative consequences to many sectors in the Finnish economy. Maritime transport thus represents critical infrastructure for Finland. This report focuses on the importance of maritime transports on security of supply in Finland and for the so called critical industries in particular. The report summarizes the results of the Work Package 2 of the research project STOCA – “Study of cargo flows in the Gulf of Finland in emergency situations”. The aim of the research was to analyze the cargo flows and infrastructure that are vital for maintaining security of supply in Finland, as well as the consequences of disruptions in the maritime traffic for the Finnish critical industries and for the Finnish society. In the report we give a presentation of the infrastructure and transport routes which are critical for maintaining security of supply in Finland. We discuss import dependency of the critical industries, and the importance of the Gulf of Finland ports for Finland. We assess vulnerabilities associated with the critical material flows of the critical industries, and possibilities for alternative routings in case either one or several of the ports in Finland would be closed. As a concrete example of a transport disruption we analyze the consequences of the Finnish stevedore strike at public ports (4.3.–19.3.2010). The strike stopped approximately 80% of the Finnish foreign trade. As a result of the strike Finnish companies could not export their products and/or import raw materials, components and spare parts, or other essential supplies. We carried out personal interviews with representatives of the companies in Finnish critical industries to find out about the problems caused by the strike, how companies carried out they transports and how they managed to continue their operations during the strike. Discussions with the representatives of the companies gave us very practical insights about companies’ preparedness towards transport disruptions in general. Companies in the modern world are very vulnerable to transport disruptions because companies regardless of industries have tried to improve their performance by optimizing their resources and e.g. by reducing their inventory levels. At the same time they have become more and more dependent on continuous transports. Most companies involved in foreign trade have global operations and global supply chains, so any disruption anywhere in the world can have an impact on the operations of the company causing considerable financial loss. The volcanic eruption in Iceland in April 2010 stopping air traffic in the whole Northern Europe and most recently the earth quake causing a tsunami in Japan in March 2011 are examples of severe disruptions causing considerable negative impacts to companies’ supply chains. Even though the Finnish stevedore strike was a minor disruption compared to the natural catastrophes mentioned above, it showed the companies’ vulnerability to transport disruptions very concretely. The Finnish stevedore strike gave a concrete learning experience of the importance of preventive planning for all Finnish companies: it made them re-think their practical preparedness towards transport risks and how they can continue with their daily operations despite the problems. Many companies realized they need to adapt their long-term countermeasures against transport disruptions. During the strike companies did various actions to secure their supply chains. The companies raised their inventory levels before the strike began, they re-scheduled or postponed their deliveries, shifted customer orders between production plants among their company’s production network or in the extreme case bought finished products from their competitor to fulfil their customers’ order. Our results also show that possibilities to prepare against transport disruptions differ between industries. The Finnish society as a whole is very dependent on imports of energy, various raw materials and other supplies needed by the different industries. For many of the Finnish companies in the export industries and e.g. in energy production maritime transport is the only transport mode the companies can use due to large volumes of materials transported or due to other characteristics of the goods. Therefore maritime transport cannot be replaced by any other transport mode. In addition, a significant amount of transports are concentrated in certain ports. From a security of supply perspective attention should be paid to finding ways to decrease import dependency and ensuring that companies in the critical industries can ensure the continuity of their operations.

Risk Parity: A Modern Tool for Diversification

The purpose of this study is to examine how well risk parity works in terms of risk, return and diversification relative to more traditional minimum variance, 1/N and 60/40 portfolios. Risk parity portfolios were constituted of five risk sources; three common asset classes and two alternative beta investment strategies. The three common asset classes were equities, bonds and commodities, and the alternative beta investment strategies were carry trade and trend following. Risk parity portfolios were constructed using five different risk measures of which four were tail risk measures. The risk measures were standard deviation, Value-at-Risk, Expected Shortfall, modified Value-at-Risk and modified Expected Shortfall. We studied also how sensitive risk parity is to the choice of risk measure. The hypothesis is that risk parity portfolios provide better return with the same amount of risk and are better diversified than the benchmark portfolios. We used two data sets, monthly and weekly data. The monthly data was from the years 1989-2011 and the weekly data was from the years 2000-2011. Empirical studies showed that risk parity portfolios provide better diversification since the diversification is made at the risk level. Risk based portfolios provided superior return compared to the asset based portfolios. Using tail risk measures in risk parity portfolios do not necessarily provide better hedge from tail events than standard deviation.

Cognitive Development of Very Low Birth Weight Children from Infancy to Pre-school Age

The survival of preterm born infants has increased but the prevalence of long-term morbidities has still remained high. Preterm born children are at an increased risk for various developmental impairments including both severe neurological deficits as well as deficits in cognitive development. According to the literature the developmental outcome perspective differs between countries, centers, and eras. Definitions of preterm infant vary between studies, and the follow-up has been carried out with diverse methods making the comparison less reliable. It is essential to offer parents upto-date information about the outcome of preterm infants born in the same area. A centralized follow-up of children at risk makes it possible to monitor the consequences of changes in the treatment practices of hospitals on developmental outcome. This thesis is part of a larger regional, prospective multidisciplinary follow-up project entitled “Development and Functioning of Very Low Birth Weight Infants from Infancy to School Age” (PIeniPAinoisten RIskilasten käyttäytyminen ja toimintakyky imeväisiästä kouluikään, PIPARI). The thesis consists of four original studies that present data of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born between 2001 and 2006, who are followed up from the neonatal period until the age of five years. The main outcome measure was cognitive development and secondary outcomes were significant neurological deficits (cerebral palsy, CP, deafness, and blindness). In Study I, the early crying and fussing behavior of preterm infants was studied using parental diaries, and the relation of crying behavior and cognitive and motor development at the age of two years was assessed. In Study II, the developmental outcome (cognitive, CP, deafness, and blindness) at the age of two years was studied in relation to demographic, antenatal, neonatal, and brain imaging data. Development was studied in relationship to a full-term born control group born in the same hospital. In Study III, the stability of cognitive development was studied in VLBW and full-term groups by comparing the outcomes at the ages of two and five years. Finally, in Study IV the precursors of reading skills (phonological processing, rapid automatized naming, and letter knowledge) were assessed for VLBW and full-term children at the age of five years. Pre-reading skills were studied in relation to demographic, antenatal, neonatal, and brain imaging data. The main findings of the thesis were that VLBW infants who fussed or cried more in the infancy were not at greater risk for problems in their cognitive development. However, crying was associated with poorer motor development. The developmental outcome of the present population was better that has been reported earlier and this improvement covered also cognitive development. However, the difference to fullterm born peers was still significant. Major brain pathology and intestinal perforation were independent significant risk factors for adverse outcome, also when several individual risk factors were controlled for. Cognitive development at the age of two years was strongly related with development at the age of five years, stressing the importance of the early assessment, and the possibility for early interventions. Finally, VLBW children had poorer pre-reading skills compared with their full-term born peers, but the IQ was an important mediator even when children with mental retardation were excluded from the analysis. The findings suggest that counseling parents about the developmental perspectives of their preterm infant should be based on data covering the same birth hospital. Neonatal brain imaging data and neonatal morbidity are important predictors for developmental outcome. The findings of the present study stress the importance of both short-term (two years) and long-term (five years) follow-ups for the individual, and for improving the quality of care.

The Forms and Functions of Multilingual Practices in Early Modern School Drama from the King‟s School, Canterbury

Käsittelen tutkimuksessani monikielisyyden ilmenemistä Canterburyn katedraalikoulun oppilaiden 1600-luvun loppupuoliskolla esittämissä näytelmissä, jotka löytyvät käsikirjoituksesta Lit.Ms.E41 (Canterburyn katedraalin arkisto). Tämä käsikirjoitus sisältää puheita ja näytelmiä, joiden kielinä ovat englanti, latina ja vähemmissä määrin myös kreikka. Useissa näytelmissä esiintyy koodinvaihtoa näiden kielten välillä, ja tutkielmassani selvitän, millaisia syntaktisia ilmenemismuotoja ja pragmaattisia merkityksiä koodinvaihdolla on. Teoreettinen viitekehykseni on yhdistelmä filologista ja lingvististä lähestymistapaa. Olen sisällyttänyt tutkielmaani aiemman koodinvaihdon tutkimuksen lisäksi Brownin ja Levinsonin kohteliaisuusteorian, jonka avulla erityisesti puhujien välisiin sosiaalisiin suhteisiin liittyviä koodinvaihdon funktioita voidaan luokitella. Koska historiallinen koodinvaihto on tutkimusaiheena vielä melko tuore, käsittelen perusteellisesti erilaisia metodologisia ratkaisuja. Valitsemani metodi yhdistää perinteisen filologisen lähiluvun pragmaattiseen analyysiin, jonka kautta työssäni vaikuttavat muun muassa rationaalisuuden ja empatian käsitteet. Analyysini perusteella kävi ilmi, että erityisen yleinen koodinvaihdon funktio on mahdollistaa intertekstuaalisuus, jolla edelleen voidaan ilmaista esimerkiksi solidaarisuutta eli sosiaalista läheisyyttä tai loukata puhuteltavaa. Solidaarisuus oli myös ilman intertekstuaalisuutta yleinen koodinvaihdon funktio. Näiden lisäksi koodinvaihdon funktioita olivat muun muassa kasvoja uhkaavat teot, eufemismit, stilistiset efektit sekä diskurssin avustaminen. Syntaktisten ilmenemismuotojen osalta keskeisin havainto oli, että koodinvaihdon ja lainaamisen erottaminen ei ole tarpeellista tai edes kannattavaa kaikissa tilanteissa. Lisäksi voitiin todeta, että valittu metodi soveltui hyvin aineiston analysoimiseen, ja sitä tulisi soveltaa mahdollisuuksien mukaan laajempaan materiaaliin sekä muiden pragmaattisten ilmiöiden tutkimiseen.

Modern Metallic Materials for Arctic Environment

This thesis is part of the Arctic Materials Technologies Development –project, which aims to research and develop manufacturing techniques, especially welding, for Arctic areas. The main target of this paper is to clarify what kind of European metallic materials are used, or can be used, in Arctic. These materials include mainly carbon steels but also stainless steels and aluminium and its alloys. Standardized materials, their properties and also some recent developments are being introduced. Based on this thesis it can be said that carbon steels (shipbuilding and pipeline steels) have been developed based on needs of industry and steels exist, which can be used in Arctic areas. Still, these steels cannot be fully benefited, because rules and standards are under development. Also understanding of fracture behavior of new ultra high strength steels is not yet good enough, which means that research methods (destructive and non-destructive methods) need to be developed too. The most of new nickel-free austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless steels can be used in cold environment. Ferritic and martensitic stainless steels are being developed for better weldability and these steels are mainly developed in nuclear industry. Aluminium alloys are well suitable for subzero environment and these days high strength aluminium alloys are available also as thick sheets. Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture steels, stainless steels and aluminium alloys with even higher strength. Joining techniques needs to be developed and examined properly to achieve economical and safe way to join these modern alloys.

Bioactive Glass in Lumbar Spondylodesis. A Pre-Clinical and Clinical Study

Bioactive glasses (BGs) form a group of synthetic, surface-active, composition-dependent, silica-based biomaterials with osteoconductive, osteopromotive, and even angiogenic, as well as antibacterial, properties. A national interdisciplinary research group, within the Combio Technology Program (2003–2007), developed a porous load-bearing composite for surgical applications made of BG 1–98 and polymer fibers. The pre-clinical part of this thesis focused on the in vitro and in vivo testing of the composite materials in a rabbit femur and spinal posterolateral fusion model. The femur model failed to demonstrate the previously seen positive effect of BG 1–98 on osteogenesis, probably due to the changed resorption properties of BG in the form of fibers. The spine study was terminated early due to adverse events. In vitro cultures showed the growth inhibition of human mesenchymal stems next to BG 1–98 fibers and radical pH changes. A prospective, long-term, follow-up study was conducted on BG–S53P4 and autogenous bone used as bone graft substitutes for instrumented posterolateral spondylodesis in the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis (n=17) and unstable burst fractures (n=10) during 1996–1998. The operative outcome was evaluated from X-rays and CT scans, and a clinical examination was also performed. On the BG side, a solid fusion was observed in the CT scans of 12 patients, and a partial fusion was found in 5 patients, the result being a total fusion rate in all fusion sites (n=41) 88% for levels L4/5 and L5/S1 in the spondylolisthesis group. In the spine fracture group, solid fusion was observed in five patients, and partial fusion was found in five resulting in a total fusion rate of 71% of all fusion sites (n=21). The pre-clinical results suggest that under certain conditions the physical form of BG can be more critical than its chemical composition when a clinical application is designed. The first long-term clinical results concerning the use of BG S53P4 as bone graft material in instrumented posterolateral spondylodesis seems to be a safe procedure, associated with a very low complication rate. BG S53P4 used as a stand-alone bone substitute cannot be regarded as being as efficient as AB in promoting solid fusion.

Detection of the Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque. Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Novel PET Imaging Probes With Experimental Models

Atherosclerosis is a life-long vascular inflammatory disease and the leading cause of death in Finland and in other western societies. The development of atherosclerotic plaques is progressive and they form when lipids begin to accumulate in the vessel wall. This accumulation triggers the migration of inflammatory cells that is a hallmark of vascular inflammation. Often, this plaque will become unstable and form vulnerable plaque which may rupture causing thrombosis and in the worst case, causing myocardial infarction or stroke. Identification of these vulnerable plaques before they rupture could save lives. At present, in the clinic, there exists no appropriated, non-invasive method for their identification. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate novel positron emission tomography (PET) probes for the detection of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques and to characterize, two mouse models of atherosclerosis. These studies were performed by using ex vivo and in vivo imaging modalities. The vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques was evaluated as expression of active inflammatory cells, namely macrophages. Age and the duration of high-fat diet had a drastic impact on the development of atherosclerotic plaques in mice. In imaging of atherosclerosis, 6-month-old mice, kept on high-fat diet for 4 months, showed matured, metabolically active, atherosclerotic plaques. [18F]FDG and 68Ga were accumulated in the areas representative of vulnerable plaques. However, the slow clearance of 68Ga limits its use for the plaque imaging. The novel synthesized [68Ga]DOTA-RGD and [18F]EF5 tracers demonstrated efficient uptake in plaques as compared to the healthy vessel wall, but the pharmacokinetic properties of these tracers were not optimal in used models. In conclusion, these studies resulted in the identification of new strategies for the assessment of plaque stability and mouse models of atherosclerosis which could be used for plaque imaging. In the used probe panel, [18F]FDG was the best tracer for plaque imaging. However, further studies are warranted to clarify the applicability of [18F]EF5 and [68Ga]DOTA-RGD for imaging of atherosclerosis with other experimental models.

Software Development Process Modeling. Developers Perspective to Contemporary Modeling Techniques

Formal software development processes and well-defined development methodologies are nowadays seen as the definite way to produce high-quality software within time-limits and budgets. The variety of such high-level methodologies is huge ranging from rigorous process frameworks like CMMI and RUP to more lightweight agile methodologies. The need for managing this variety and the fact that practically every software development organization has its own unique set of development processes and methods have created a profession of software process engineers. Different kinds of informal and formal software process modeling languages are essential tools for process engineers. These are used to define processes in a way which allows easy management of processes, for example process dissemination, process tailoring and process enactment. The process modeling languages are usually used as a tool for process engineering where the main focus is on the processes themselves. This dissertation has a different emphasis. The dissertation analyses modern software development process modeling from the software developers’ point of view. The goal of the dissertation is to investigate whether the software process modeling and the software process models aid software developers in their day-to-day work and what are the main mechanisms for this. The focus of the work is on the Software Process Engineering Metamodel (SPEM) framework which is currently one of the most influential process modeling notations in software engineering. The research theme is elaborated through six scientific articles which represent the dissertation research done with process modeling during an approximately five year period. The research follows the classical engineering research discipline where the current situation is analyzed, a potentially better solution is developed and finally its implications are analyzed. The research applies a variety of different research techniques ranging from literature surveys to qualitative studies done amongst software practitioners. The key finding of the dissertation is that software process modeling notations and techniques are usually developed in process engineering terms. As a consequence the connection between the process models and actual development work is loose. In addition, the modeling standards like SPEM are partially incomplete when it comes to pragmatic process modeling needs, like light-weight modeling and combining pre-defined process components. This leads to a situation, where the full potential of process modeling techniques for aiding the daily development activities can not be achieved. Despite these difficulties the dissertation shows that it is possible to use modeling standards like SPEM to aid software developers in their work. The dissertation presents a light-weight modeling technique, which software development teams can use to quickly analyze their work practices in a more objective manner. The dissertation also shows how process modeling can be used to more easily compare different software development situations and to analyze their differences in a systematic way. Models also help to share this knowledge with others. A qualitative study done amongst Finnish software practitioners verifies the conclusions of other studies in the dissertation. Although processes and development methodologies are seen as an essential part of software development, the process modeling techniques are rarely used during the daily development work. However, the potential of these techniques intrigues the practitioners. As a conclusion the dissertation shows that process modeling techniques, most commonly used as tools for process engineers, can also be used as tools for organizing the daily software development work. This work presents theoretical solutions for bringing the process modeling closer to the ground-level software development activities. These theories are proven feasible by presenting several case studies where the modeling techniques are used e.g. to find differences in the work methods of the members of a software team and to share the process knowledge to a wider audience.

Modern vulkanisering & reparation av automobilringar

kuv., 14 x 22 cm

Formal development and quantitative verification of dependable systems

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Lithostratigraphy and age of pre-Late Weichselian sediments in the Suupohja area, western Finland

Different types of laterally extensive sand- and gravel-dominated deposits, up to several tens of metres thick, were investigated in the Suupohja area of western Finland. The studied sediments were deposited in glacial, ice-marginal, glaciofluvial, sea or lake, littoral and terrestrial environments during several glacial-non-glacial cycles. Seventeen pre-Late Weichselian and three Late Weichselian/Holocene sedimentary units were identified. These were divided into ten formally and two informally defined formations that were together termed the Suupohja Group. Every unit are nevertheless not detectable throughout the study area. The informally defined “Karhukangas lower deposits” represent the lowest units in the Suupohja Group. The Karhukangas lower deposits with 5 till units, 3 glaciolacustrine/-marine units and 2 sand units, were interpreted as having been deposited during possibly four glacial-non-glacial cycles before the Late Pleistocene Subepoch (MIS 6 or earlier). The Kankalo Sand above the Karhukangas lower deposits comprises glaciofluvial and aeolian sands of Late Saalian, Eemian or Early Weichselian origin (MIS 6–MIS 5c). The Kariluoma Till above the Kankalo Sand was possibly deposited during the Late Saalian glacial advance, although an Early Weichselian origin is also possible. The Harrinkangas Formation, with glaciofluvial and quiet-water sediments, is interpreted as having been deposited during the Late Saalian and Eemian Stages (MIS 6–MIS 5e). The uppermost units in the deposits studied, the Kodesjärvi Formation (shore deposit), Isojoki Sand (aeolian), Rävåsen Formation (glaciofluvial), Vanhakylä Formation (shore line deposit), Dagsmark Till and Kauhajoki Till, were deposited during the Weichselian Stage (MIS 5d–MIS 2). In addition, Early Holocene (MIS 1) eskers without till cover were informally termed the “Holocene esker deposits”. The Lumikangas Formation represents gravelly shore deposits formed in the Holocene Epoch, when these areas last emerged from the sea. The first Weichselian ice expansion possibly reached the western part of Suupohja in the Early Weichselian Substage (MIS 5d?), but it did not expand further to the east. The second Weichselian glaciation of relatively short duration occupied the southern part of Finland in the later part of Middle Weichselian (MIS 3). Thus, the southern half of the country remained ice-free for the majority (~65–75%) of the Weichselian Stage. Instead, both humid temperate and periglacial conditions alternated. In the initial part of Middle Weichselian, this area was partly submerged, which indicates eastward expansion of the Scandinavian ice sheet(s), depressing the lithosphere. The exceptionally thick sediment cover, multiple lithofacies, relict landscape and preserved preglacially weathered bedrock are evidence of weak glacial erosion in the Suupohja area during the latest as well as earlier glaciations, making this area one of the key areas in Quaternary research.

Käsitteen pre-conflict käsiteanalyysi

Maailmassa on tälläkin hetkellä käynnissä useita sotaan rinnastettavia aseellisia selkkauksia. Käsite sota on kuitenkin menettänyt merkitystään ja sen on korvanneet käsitteet kuten aseellinen selkkaus ja konflikti. Kansainvälisessä ja humanitaarisessa oikeudessa on epäonnistuttu käsitteiden määrittelyssä, mikä on luonut haasteita lakien ja säädösten tulkintaan. Sodankuvan muutoksen ja kansainvälisen oikeuden kehittymisen myötä myös sodan julistus on menettänyt merkityksensä, mikä on johtanut siihen, että aseellisten selkkausten ja konfliktien alkuajankohtaa on hyvin vaikea määritellä. Tässä tutkimuksessa avataan ja selvennetään käsitteen pre-conflict merkitys käsiteanalyysin avulla. Päämääränä ei ole kääntää käsitettä suomeksi, vaan tuottaa lisää tietoa käsitteestä. Tutkimusaineistona käytetään EU:n, YK:n sekä Naton virallisia tiedotteita vuonna 2011 alkaneesta Syyrian tilanteesta. Analyysin avulla saavutetaan ymmärrys EU:n, YK:n sekä Naton käsitteiden käytölle, jonka avulla käsitteen pre-conflict ominaispiirteet, säännönmukaisuudet ja syysuhteet kyetään tunnistamaan. Analyysin ensimmäisessä osassa keskitytään käsitteen osien alkuperän tunnistamiseen ja analyysin tavoitteiden asettamiseen. Seuraavassa osassa Syyrian tilanteelle suoritetaan perusteellinen analyysi, jonka avulla käsitteen ominaispiirteet kyetään tunnistamaan. Pääkäsite erotetaan sen lähikäsitteistä sota, sisällissota sekä kriisi ja sen pohjalta käsitteelle luodaan ennakkoehdot ja seuraukset. Lopuksi pragmaattisuuden tavoittelemiseksi käsitteelle luodaan malliesimerkki Syyrian tilanteeseen sitoen. Tutkielma tiivistyy empiiriseen malliin, josta käsitteen tarkasteleminen yksinkertaistuu. Laajan kirjallisuuskatsauksen tuloksena voidaan käsitteen todeta tarkoittavan aikaa ennen konfliktia. Käsite konflikti on rinnastettavissa kansainvälisessä oikeuden tunnistamaan aseelliseen selkkaukseen. Keskeisimmät tutkimustulokset liittyvät käsitteen pre-conflict ajalliseen rajaukseen. Ajallisesti pre-conflict-ajan alku rajautuu yksittäiseen tapahtumaan, minkä jälkeen tilanne ei tule päättymään ennen kuin aseellinen selkkaus on saavuttanut ratkaisunsa. Pre-conflict-aika rajaa rauhanajan sekä erilaiset yhteiskunnalliset häiriötilanteet ajasta, jolloin häiriötilanteet eskaloituvat aseelliseksi selkkaukseksi sekä aikaan jolloin tilanne on jo eskaloitunut aseelliseksi selkkaukseksi. Kohdistettaessa tutkimusta aikaan ennen aseellisen selkkauksen alkua saadaan tietoa eskaloitumisen syistä, jolloin ennaltaehkäisevät toimenpiteet olisivat hyödynnettävissä alkavissa tilanteissa. Sotilaallisiin kriiseihin tai aseellisiin selkkauksiin liittyy voimakeinojen käyttö, joita säännellään kansallisessa lainsäädännössä. Voimankäyttö perustuu osittain kansainvälisen oikeuteen ja niiden sopimuksiin, joissa säädetään muun muassa suhteellisen voimankäytön periaate. Siinä missä rauhanaikana varaudutaan erinäisiin uhkatilanteisiin ja laaditaan suunnitelmia häiriötiloja ja poikkeusoloja varten, tulisi myös varautua poistamalla käsitteisiin liittyvät epäselvyydet. Laatimalla malleja, joiden avulla alkavat tilanteet tai aseelliset selkkaukset tunnistetaan ajoissa, mahdollistetaan oikeanaikainen päätöksenteko ja ennaltaehkäisevät toimenpiteet.

Commercialization of Modern Renewable Energy

The threat of global warming and its consequences are widely recognized, and the question of how to proceed with the long transition towards fossil fuel -neutral economies concerns many nations and people. At the same time the world’s primary energy use is predicted to increase significantly during the next decades as a result of global population and welfare increase. Improved energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy sources in the world’s energy mix play important roles in the future energy production and consumption. The objective of this thesis is to study how novel renewable energy technologies, such as distributed small-scale bio-fueled combined heat and power production and wind power technologies could be commercialized efficiently. A wide array of attributes may contribute to the diffusion of new products. In general, the bioenergy and wind power technologies are in emerging phases, and the diffusion stage varies from country to country. The effects of firms’ technology choices, collaboration and alliances are studied in this thesis. Furthermore, the roles of national energy infrastructure and energy support schemes in the commercialization of new renewable energy products are explored. The empirical data is based on energy expert interviews, financial and patent data, and literature reviews of different case studies. The thesis comprises two parts. The first part provides an overview of the study, and the second part includes six research publications. The results reveal that small-scale bio-fueled combined heat and power production and wind power technologies are still in emerging phases in their life cycles, and energy support schemes are crucial in the market diffusion. The study contributes to earlier findings in the literature and industry by confirming that adequate energy policies and energy infrastructure are fundamental in the commercialization of novel renewable energy technologies. Firm-specific issues, including business relationships and new business models, and market-related issues will have a more significant role in the market penetration in the future, when the technologies mature and become competitive without political support schemes.