Islanding is a condition in which a portion of an electric power grid, containing both load and generation, is isolated from the remainder of the electric power grid. This situation is one which electric power providers (utilities) regularly contend with. When an island is created purposely by the controlling utility – to isolate large sections of the utility grid, for example – it is called an intentional island. Conversely, an unintentional island can be created when a segment of the utility grid containing only customer-owned generation and load is isolated from the utility control.