A method is disclosed for anticipating operation characteristics of a steam generation system, the steam generation system comprising at least one boiler (10). The method comprises conducting a fuel analysis of a solid fuel and anticipating the at least one operation characteristic of the steam generation system at the time when a specific partial quantity of solid fuel is combusted in the furnace of a boiler of the steam generation system, and further determining at least one adapted setpoint of at least one operation parameter of the steam generation system dependent upon the fuel composition of any specific solid fuel partial quantity so as to counteract and/or remedy changes of the at least one operation characteristic which are caused by the fuel composition of the specific solid fuel partial quantity. The method may be employed to improve operation of a steam generating system when the fuel composition varies.