Distributed control in electric power delivery systems

A method of implementing distributed control in an electrical power delivery system, the method comprising:

• measuring, by a plurality of control devices in electrical communication with distributed portions of the electrical power delivery system, a plurality of electrical power system measurements;
• determining, by the plurality of control devices, a plurality of indications including impending overload condition indications, and crossed overload condition indications using the electrical power system measurements;
• sending, from the plurality of control devices, the plurality of indications and electrical power system measurements to a controller;
• receiving, at the controller, the plurality of indications including the impending overload condition indications, the crossed overload condition indications, and the electrical power system measurements from a plurality of control devices in electrical communication with distributed portions of the electrical power delivery system;
• determining an operating stage from among a plurality of operating stages based upon the impending overload condition indications, crossed overload condition indications, and the electrical power system measurements from the distributed portions of the electrical power delivery system;
• selecting a control strategy based upon the operating stage, the control strategy for a control device of the plurality of control devices causing the control device to implement a first control action for measured electrical conditions different from a second control action for the measured electrical conditions before identification of the control strategy;
• communicating the control strategy to the plurality of control devices via the communications interface;
• implementing, using the plurality of control devices, a plurality of control actions based upon the control strategy.