The disclosure relates to optimization of gas turbine power plant response during power system transients. In certain embodiments, systems, methods, and apparatus can control a power generating system by using the reactive components of the current and the reactive components of the voltage and the magnitude of the voltage at the generator terminals of a gas turbine generator system. In one embodiment, a system can identify a power system fault based on at least three conditions occurring for a specified duration and at substantially the same time: (1) an increase in the reactive current, (2) a decrease in the magnitude of the voltage, and (3) an increase in the reactive power. In one embodiment, a power system can further detect a remote breaker open (RBO) condition, and distinguish a RBO condition from a power system fault condition.