Over the last two years, DSTAR (Distribution Systems Testing, Application and Research program) — a cooperative research effort supported by individual utilities and utility organizations — has grown by adding five new members: American Electric Power (AEP), Duke Energy, South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G), Progress Energy and Northeast Utilities (NU). As a result, DSTAR's Program 10 financial budget has increased by more than 50%, enabling members to substantially increase the total number of projects compared with previous programs. Some of the projects included in Program 10 are:

• Software database development

  This project is focused on placing custom data for several of DSTAR's software tools into a single database. It will enable administrators to easily manage data through a single data source.

• e-Handbook, third edition

  The e-Handbook is a fully searchable, hyperlinked electronic resource with valuable calculations and tutorial-style information for system planners and asset managers. This latest edition includes major content additions and improved layout and graphics.

• Cable Electrical Parameters Software (CEPS) enhancements

  CEPS is a graphically oriented program for calculating the parameters and ampacity of underground cable systems. This latest enhancement adds medium voltage, single core-lead sheath-cable calculations and additional flexibility in calculating riser and underground cable ampacity.

• Wildlife Control and Protection Manual

  This project is focused on updating NRECA's Animal-Caused Outage manual published in 1996. The manual will be fully updated to include the latest information, products and techniques for mitigating animal-caused outages and protecting wildlife from power-system infrastructure.

• Transformer Owning Costs Software (TOCS) import/optimization enhancements

  TOCS enables users to determine the most economical distribution transformer design for a given load and temperature profile. This enhancement allows users to directly import a full year's worth of metering data and vendor transformer data for analysis.

• Cable Pulling Assistant software (CPA) visualization enhancements

  CPA has proved to be a useful tool for calculating cable tensions and sidewall pressures. This project adds the capability to graphically view and interact with the cable layout in 3-D.

• Technology white papers

  Critical evaluation of three technologies of interest to DSTAR members: broadband powerline carrier (BPL) for utility operations, subcycle electronic switching and three-phase padmount transformer impedance limitations.

• Value of Secondary and Primary Breakers (CSP) Report

  This report analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of completely self-protected (CSP) transformers versus conventional transformers.

Research results are provided to DSTAR members in the form of a concise report, practical guidelines or software tools designed for immediate application. Each DSTAR program is conducted over 18 to 24 months.

DSTAR members are located throughout the United States and include investor-owned utilities, as well as rural electric cooperatives participating through NRECA's Cooperative Research Network. The current membership consists of Ameren, Aquila, Exelon Corp., NRECA, New York State Electric & Gas, Pacificorp, Progress Energy, South Carolina Electric & Gas, Southern Company, We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service and Duke Energy.

Interested companies can purchase membership and related benefits of past and present DSTAR programs. With nearly a 15-to-1 ratio between total research budget and individual membership fees, DSTAR offers utilities a significant value.

DSTAR is managed by GE Energy. For information on DSTAR membership, visit www.dstar.org.