Method of Operating an Electrical Feeder

A method of operating an electrical feeder on which the voltage is to be maintained between a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage, the electrical feeder having electrically connected therewith a number of first devices which are operable to control the voltage on the electrical feeder, a number of second devices which generate varying amounts of electrical power that is contributed at least in part to the electrical feeder, and a number of third devices which are electrical loads, the method comprising:

• grouping a second device of the number of second devices with one or more third devices of the number of third devices;
• responsive to an increase or a decrease in the amount of electrical power that is being generated by the second device, correspondingly decreasing or increasing, respectively, the consumption of electrical power by the one or more third devices by performing a number of operations that comprise at least one of:
• adjusting an operating parameter of at least one third device of the one or more third devices to correspondingly decrease or increase, respectively, its power consumption, and
• further grouping the second device with at least one other third device of the number of third devices to correspondingly decrease or increase, respectively, the aggregate power consumption of the one or more third devices;
• and
• operating at least one first device of the number of first devices to maintain the voltage on the electrical feeder at the minimum voltage.