Method for computer-aided control of the electrical power consumption of a plurality of power consumers in an electrical power grid, wherein the power consumers represent network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) of a distributed communication network made up of a plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8), in which the power consumers can communicate with each other, wherein: a) the network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) each estimate the total power consumption (TE, TE') of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) on the basis of the exchange of information with at least one other network node (P1, P2,..., P8), wherein the exchange of information takes place in each case between a predefined number of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8), in that at predetermined intervals of time each network node (P1, P2,..., P8) selects at least one network node at random from the set of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) known to it in order to estimate the total power consumption (TE, TE') of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) on the basis of the exchange of information with the at least one selected network node (P1, P2,..., P8); wherein each network node (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number transmits an average power consumption (AE, AE') estimated by it of an individual network node (P1, P2,..., P8) in the communication network, or a variable from which the average power consumption (AE, AE') can be deduced, to the other network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number, wherein each network node (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number updates its estimated average power consumption (AE, AE') taking into consideration all average power consumptions (AE, AE') of the network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number and from this determines an updated estimated total power consumption of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8); b) each network node (P1, P2,..., P8), the power demand of which increases by a required amount of power (Δx), compares the total power demand (TE, TE') estimated by it plus the required amount of power (Δx) to a predefined total power demand of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) and initiates a procurement of the required amount of power (Δx) from a power provider if its estimated total power consumption (TE, TE') plus the required amount of power (Δx) is less than the predefined total power demand by at least a predetermined threshold value. a) the network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) each estimate the total power consumption (TE, TE') of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) on the basis of the exchange of information with at least one other network node (P1, P2,..., P8), wherein the exchange of information takes place in each case between a predefined number of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8), in that at predetermined intervals of time each network node (P1, P2,..., P8) selects at least one network node at random from the set of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) known to it in order to estimate the total power consumption (TE, TE') of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) on the basis of the exchange of information with the at least one selected network node (P1, P2,..., P8); wherein each network node (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number transmits an average power consumption (AE, AE') estimated by it of an individual network node (P1, P2,..., P8) in the communication network, or a variable from which the average power consumption (AE, AE') can be deduced, to the other network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number, wherein each network node (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number updates its estimated average power consumption (AE, AE') taking into consideration all average power consumptions (AE, AE') of the network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) of the predefined number and from this determines an updated estimated total power consumption of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8); b) each network node (P1, P2,..., P8), the power demand of which increases by a required amount of power (Δx), compares the total power demand (TE, TE') estimated by it plus the required amount of power (Δx) to a predefined total power demand of the plurality of network nodes (P1, P2,..., P8) and initiates a procurement of the required amount of power (Δx) from a power provider if its estimated total power consumption (TE, TE') plus the required amount of power (Δx) is less than the predefined total power demand by at least a predetermined threshold value.