Patent ID: 8812167

Claim:
A power distribution system of a utility, said power distribution system comprising: at least two power distribution devices; and a computer coupled to said at least two power distribution devices, said computer comprising a memory area, said computer configured to: create and store, in said memory area, a hierarchy of said at least two power distribution devices, wherein the hierarchy includes a first tier associated with a first distance from the utility, and a second tier associated with a second distance from the utility, wherein the first distance is different than the second distance; adjust a first voltage level of a first power distribution device of said at least two power distribution devices, wherein said first power distribution device is associated with the first tier of the hierarchy; adjust at least a second voltage level of at least a second power distribution device of said at least two power distribution devices, wherein said second power distribution device is associated with the second tier of the hierarchy, and wherein said computer is configured to adjust the first voltage level and the at least a second voltage level on a tier by tier basis such that the first voltage level is adjusted before the at least a second voltage level is adjusted; and generate a switch plan for said at least two power distribution devices based on the adjusted first voltage level and the adjusted at least a second voltage level.