Methods and systems are provided performed by a computing system is provided for determining reserve power for power supply elements in a power distribution system. A method determines the non-failure power supplied by each power panel. The non-failure power is the power supplied during normal operation, that is when no panel fails. Then, for each panel, the method designates that panel as failed and determines a failure power supplied by each panel assuming that the designated panel has failed. For each panel, the method also determines a maximum failure power supplied by that panel and sets a reserve power for that panel to the difference between the maximum failure power and the non-failure power for that panel.