The present disclosure pertains to distributed controllers configured to control a plurality of electrical generators in an electrical generation and distribution system. In one embodiment, a distributed controller consistent with the present disclosure may include a communication subsystem to obtain a first plurality of time-stamped electrical parameter measurements from a first node. A measurement analysis subsystem may compare the first plurality of time-stamped electrical parameter measurements and the second plurality of time-stamped electrical parameter measurements. The first node and the second node may be associated in an electrical island by a topology detection subsystem based on the correlation. A control subsystem may be configured to implement a control action based on the association of the first node and the second node in the electrical island.