System and Method for Managing Cold Load Pickup Using Demand Response

A system and method for simultaneously restoring power to loads in a distribution network that experienced an outage. The pickup load on the feeder in the distribution network is estimated (412) and the load limit on the feeder is determined (414). The load on the feeder is divided into groups (416) based on the load limit. A restoration load control process is determined, and power is restored to each of the groups simultaneously based (418) on the power restoration control process.