Method and system for identifying an islanding event in a utility grid. Method includes generating a user defined control signal and applying the user defined control signal to a distributed resource interconnected to the utility grid. The user defined control signal is used to alter at least one operating parameter. In one arrangement, the user definable unintentional islanding control signal includes a first signal defining a first peak disturbance and a second signal defining a second peak disturbance. The user definable unintentional islanding control signal is used to alter at least one operating parameter of said distributed resource.