When the original edition was published in 1989, it was the first book for decades to be devoted to planning and design of distribution systems. It has now been fully revised, particularly in the light of market conditions exerting stronger pressure on the design engineer, the changing structure of utilities and the increasing penetration of computer-based planning and reliability. The book sets out good distribution practice and includes theoretical and practical aspects relevant to design. There is a paperback edition to satisfy demand from graduate students and engineers in training.
Erkki Lakervi received his MSc from Helsinki University of Technology in 1969. He worked in systems planning and operations in both rural and municipal Finnish electricity supply utilities, before being appointed associate professor at Tampere University of Technology in 1977. In 1986 he was appointed full professor, specialising in power systems and high-voltage engineering, becoming head of the power engineering group in 1987. Lakervi is a member of the IET, a senior member of the IEEE and a member of CIGRE. He has had two books published in Finland on electricity distribution, as well as many papers in Europe and the USA, particularly associated with computer-aided design. His particular interests are in distribution system design and the behaviour of MV insulators in adverse weather conditions. He is also involved in the design of electricity distribution systems in developing countries.