Oversubscribing Branch Circuits While Lowering Power Distribution Costs

A method, in a data processing system, for oversubscribing branch circuits, the method comprising:

• determining, by an active energy management mechanism in the data processing system, a cumulative wattage rating using power consumption information for a powered element, wherein the power consumption information is for a primary portion and a redundant portion of the powered element;
• determining, by the active energy management mechanism, a power reduction power cap to be used by the powered element in the event of a toss of either a primary power source or a redundant power source supplied to the powered element using the cumulative wattage rating, a branch circuit rating, and a circuit breaker rating for the powered element;
• and
• sending, by the active energy management mechanism, the power reduction power cap to the powered element in order that the powered element reduces power to the power reduction power cap in the event of the loss of either the primary power source or the redundant power source supplied to the powered element.