A power distribution and control system for use with a bulk generation system having transmission and distribution systems, the power distribution and control system including a plurality of microgrids each including a power generation element and a load, a plurality of microgrid controllers each associated with one and only one of the plurality of microgrids, and a first communication network. A high-level controller is operable using the first communication network to communicate with the bulk generation system and each of the plurality of microgrid controllers, the high-level controller operable to coordinate the operation of the microgrids during normal system operation. A second communication network is separate from the first communication network, the second communication network providing peer to peer communication between each of the plurality of microgrid controllers when at least one of the high-level controller and the first communication network is not available, and a plurality of third communication networks provide communication between one of the plurality of microgrid controllers and at least one of the power generation element and the load associated with that microgrid controller.