1. A method for operating an area controller configured to coordinate the distribution of electricity to and from multiple feeder networks of an area, the method comprising, by computing hardware: monitoring a system frequency at the area; receiving first power reference values set by a system-wide Balancing Authority (BA); receiving second power reference values set by a real-time area management system; computing a power flow reference value indicative of an inter-area power flow, based at least in part on measured area real and reactive power, the first power reference values, and the second power reference values; computing an area control error based at least in part on the system frequency and the power flow reference value; and controlling one or more electrical generators in the area to adjust their supply and thereby reduce the area control error.