Autonomous control unit-based control system capable of active diagnostics

A control system capable of detecting an anomaly in a controlled distribution network, and related method of detecting an anomaly, are disclosed. The control system includes a plurality of autonomous control units associated with elements of a distribution network, which include at least one producer and at least one consumer interconnected by distribution lines and at least one switch. The control units execute a program, are in communication with each other, and are capable of sensing respective parameters of the elements with which they are associated. At least one of the control units is capable of determining an occurrence of an anomaly within the network by comparing sensed parameter values or values based thereupon with one or more thresholds or range limits, and at least one of the control units is capable of identifying a cause of the anomaly by switching the at least one switch and observing the parameters.