Spring 2023 | Edition 24
A Message from the CEO
BY: LOIS CROONQUIST, CEO
Renewable energy continues to be a popular topic for the electric consumer. At STAR, we’ve seen this interest grow steadily since launching the NOVA Power Portal™ in 2019. NOVA™ is designed to track and manage distributed energy resource interconnection applications for the consumer and utility. To date, 103 MW of renewable systems have been processed through the NOVA Power Portal™ used by 71 Minnesota utilities.
NOVA™ EXPANSION
STAR’s software development team is working on a new version of the NOVA Power Portal™ designed for utilities who do not use the Minnesota interconnection process. This new version will allow more customization at the utility level. More information about the project will be released later this year. Stay tuned.
DER SUMMIT
STAR will be hosting a DER Summit this spring. This event will include an in-depth overview of the Minnesota interconnection process, NOVA Power Portal™ functionality, and an overview of Energy Solutions – Present and Future. Additional details regarding this DER Summit can be found on Page 3.
The Importance of Line Clearance
Knowing distribution line clearance measurements is important, specifically with farm and construction equipment continually increasing in size. The National Electric Safety Code® (NESC®) identifies minimum clearance distances of power lines to ensure public safety. Required clearance of power lines to the ground can change over time as new field drives are installed or other buildings are constructed.
Line clearance surveys can be completed to measure lines at their lowest point of sag. Utilities should reference the 2023 NESC® Table 232-1 for vertical clearance guidelines specific to many common scenarios such as grain bins loaded by portable augers, railroads, trucks, water, fields, and oversized vehicles.
Lines should be measured at the lowest point of sag within the span to the surface directly below. NESC® Ground Clearance for 120/240V Triplex Service Drops states clearance should be measured at the worst-case final sag at 32°F with ice or 120°F. A cable height meter tool can be used to complete measurements. These hand-held tools are designed for portability and ease of use to reduce measuring time and provide a safer way to measure without needing to physically contact cables or wires.
STAR utility inspection crews complete line clearance surveys by taking measurements of conductors in areas where large equipment frequently travels (i.e. rural road crossings, approaches to fields, or grain bin sites). STAR uses a cable height meter designed to measure the distance from ground to an overhead wire utilizing ultrasonic techniques. The instrument can measure overhead lines up to 75 feet. After measuring is completed, this valuable information can be added as a layer to the client’s GIS map.
REFERENCES: 2023 NESC® Table 232-1 and Footnotes, https://us.megger.com/cable-height-meter-chm-series
DER Summit
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
STAR is hosting a DER Summit to provide a refresher on the Minnesota Interconnection Process, highlight the NOVA Power Portal™ and provide information on the current energy solutions STAR offers.
Register to attend at: www.star-energy.com/events
PYXIS OMS™ User Group
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Join us for a virtual PYXIS OMS™ User Group with the STAR Software Development team.Users will learn about current features of the Outage Management System and receive in-depth training on various areas of the program.
Register to attend at: www.star-energy.com/events
Congratulations to Jacob Goff!
Jacob Goff has successfully completed the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. Jacob started as an intern in 2017 and has been a full-time engineer for STAR since graduating from North Dakota State University in 2018.
Summer Employment Opportunities
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP
This internship is for electrical engineering students or recent graduates with a special interest in power distribution.
TEMPORARY CREW MEMBER
This opportunity is for students in a line worker program; each summer STAR employs students between their first and second year of line school to assist our utility inspection crews.
Find more information at: www.star-energy.com/careers
STAR Energy Services to Host Utility Training Services (UTS) Staking Courses
STAR will be a host site for Utility Training Services (UTS) Power Line Design & Staking Level 1 and Level 2 courses in the summer of 2023. This will be held in Alexandria, Minnesota, and will be open to all regional utilities. Space is limited, register soon!
For more details or to register, please visit: www.utshome.com