A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors to perform operations including: receiving a plurality of input parameters including (i) a workload type, (ii) a list of selected nodes belonging to a distributed computer system, and (iii) a list of frequencies; responsive to receiving the plurality of workload parameters, retrieving calibration data from a calibration database; generating a power estimate based on the plurality of workload parameters and the calibration data; and providing the power estimate to a resource manager is shown. Alternatively, the input parameters may include (i) a workload type, (ii) a list of selected nodes belonging to a distributed computer system, and (iii) an amount of available power, wherein the estimator may provide an estimation of the frequency at which the nodes should operate to utilize as much of the available power without exceeding the available power.