The use of Multi-Attribute Trade-Off Analysis in Strategic Planning For an Electric Distribution utility: An Analysis of Abu Dhabi Distribution Company

Multi-Attribute Trade-Off Analysis (MATA) provides decision-makers with an analytical tool to identify Pareto Superior options for solving a problem with conflicting objectives or attributes. This technique is ideally suited to electric distribution systems, where decision-makers must choose investments that will ensure reliable service at reasonable cost. This paper describes the application of MATA to an electric distribution system facing dramatic growth, the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) in the United Arab Emirates. ADDC has a range of distribution system design options from which to choose in order to meet this growth. The distribution system design options have different levels of service quality (i.e., reliability) and service cost. Management can use MATA to calculate, summarize and compare the service quality and service cost attributes of the various design options. The Pareto frontier diagrams present management with clear, simple pictures of the trade-offs between service cost and service quality.