Ljubisa Vlacic

Improving electricity planning — Use of a multicriteria decision making model☆

Electricity supply planners are now expected to consider a wide range of supply and demand options to meet future power needs. The evaluation is also expected to consider multiple objectives in such diverse areas as quality of supply, cost, environmental and social impacts. Further, there are a range of views on the appropriate weightings for those various considerations. Traditional methods for determining choices are no longer adequate. This paper outlines the development of a powerful tool to facilitate a multiobjectivedriven electricity planning process. The multicriteria decision making model allows the evaluation of options against a wide range of criteria, grouped in a hierarchical structure. A formalism for comparing options is explored, showing that the model allows a planner to compare the range of alternatives against both a desired level of performance and a minimum acceptable level. The architecture of a computer-based decision support system is briefly described.

Control System Approaches for Sustainable Development and Instability Management in the Globalization Age

Abstract Mankind civilization in the globalization age depends heavily on advanced information technologies resulting from automation of control and decision expertise and their respective scientific disciplines. These have a multitude of impacts on development of national economies within the global economy. The broad area of social systems, being essentially human centred systems, is a cross-, inter- and multi-disciplinary challenge to control community. Social systems in modern civilization, currently undergoing globalization, are reviewed from the systems science viewpoint and on the grounds of recent developments in control science and technology. Recent developments put new emphasis on the social responsibility of the control and automation field during the ongoing changes from the cold-war bipolar world to a unipolar one on the way to mankinds multi-polar world of the future. The focus should be on innovative systems approaches, employing new paradigms, to combined knowledge and technology transfer world-wide, that may remedy some of the negative aspects of globalization.

Applying Multiattribute-Based Group Decision Making Techniques in Complex Equipment Selection Tasks

A practicing industrial engineer, even an experienced decision maker, needs help in the sense that there is a necessity to use more logical or analytical decision support tools, especially when dealing with control and instrumentation projects which are often worth millions of dollars. In this article we propose an algorithm which can support the process of group decision making relating to industrial automation, especially involving the selection of control and instrumentation equipment. The aim of this article is to look only at the algorithms application and how it is applied. To this end, two test cases are used as examples: (1) selecting a local area network for installation in an academic environment; and (2) selecting an integrated control system for a real-world pulp and paper mill. Obtained results show that the algorithm leads to a satisfactory solution. A software form of the algorithm is being programmed for use as a decision support tool.

Multiattribute-based CIE/CIM implementation decision model

Today, many manufacturing plants must compete worldwide for their business, and the plants direction(s) should be justified before making major advanced technology-related investment decisions. Although almost every computerization of an enterprise system is led by both market and technology driven success factors, it is of the utmost importance to measure to what extent the goals, set prior to the investment decision making stage, are achieved after the advanced system has been installed. This paper deals with a decision model to be used for Computer Integrated Enterprise/Manufacturing (CIE/CIM) implementation related decision making. This model has already been successfully used, in conjunction with the model solving algorithm, in the evaluation of CIE/CIM implementation results across six Japanese enterprises.

Fuzzy Structural Modelling-Based Method for Evaluation of Computerized Production Systems

Abstract In this paper we propose a method of multiple-attribute decision making by fuzzy integral as a preliminary to evaluating a computerised production system. The case study is illustrated in order to show how the proposed method works.

Opportunities and good practice in control education: a survey

Abstract The ways we can and do educate University students is changing rapidly and thus the paper gives a concise survey of opportunities and good practice within control and systems engineering. Rather than focussing on generic issues, more focus is given to specific approaches which are highly relevant to control topics. Hence, much of the paper discusses laboratory provision, locally, remotely and virtually. Nevertheless, there is also some discussion of general good practice and resources which have been used and evaluated in the control community.

A Hierarchical Decision Support System for Integrated Resource Planning

ABSTRACT The integrated resource planning methodology specifically compares supply—side options with demand—side options on an equal basis and includes all costs to society, including environmental cost, to determine the most appropriate selection of options for the best satisfaction of societal needs. Traditional methods for determining choices, particularly those which are intuition-based, are no longer adequate. For the integrated resource planning process to achieve the most appropriate outcome for society, many decision—making criteria need to be evaluated. This paper demonstrates that the adaptation of multicriteria- based methods to integrated resource planning assists energy policy makers while dealing with a range of, and often conflicting, objectives.

Beyond multiplayer games: Engaging cognitive virtual partners in collaborative decision-making and problem-solving situations

As more and more sophisticated artificial decision-making tools are developed, we see a natural progression from something a human may use, to engaging with virtual partners collaboratively. In this paper we define a computer game architecture that enables engagement of human and virtual partners in collaborative decision-making processes. The architecture of such a computer game is then demonstrated by engaging human and virtual partners in a Tender Assessment process.

Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process in Computer Integrated Manufacturing

Abstract This research addresses the problem of the evaluation of goal achievements in an implementation of Enterprise Integration Programmes. The essence of the recommended framework is a merging of the Analytic Hierarchy Process with Nakamuras decision model which produces a set of criteria to be used to measure the economic, strategic, social, operational and organisational impacts of computer-based integration on an enterprise.

Integrated Resource Planning: A Multicriteria-Based Decision Model

Abstract The decision as to which specific energy resource, energy technology, or energy development program to invest in is a complex strategic question and calls for evaluating many criteria. In this area of decision milking an intuition is desirable but not sufficient. This is because each decision causes qualitative and structural changes not only within the immediate environment, but also within the entire community. The paper deals with a decision model which is expected to provide a valuable tool to support an integrated resource planning concept taking into account technical, economic, social and environmental costs.