The present invention provides_a power converter that can be used to interface a generator (4) that provides variable
voltage at variable frequency to a
supply network operating at nominally fixed
voltage and nominally
fixed frequency and including features that allow the power converter to remain connected to the
supply network and retain control during
supply network fault and transient conditions. The power converter includes a generator bridge (10) electrically connected to the
stator of the generator (4) and a network bridge (14). A dc link (12) is connected between the generator bridge (10) and the network bridge (14). A filter (16) having network terminals is connected between the network bridge (14) and the supply network. A first controller (18) is provided for controlling the operation of the
semiconductor power switching devices of the generator bridge (14). Similarly, a second controller (46) is provided for controlling the operation of the
semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge (14). The first controller (18) uses a
dc link voltage demand
signal (VDC13 GEN*) indicative of a desired
dc link voltage to control the
semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge (10) to achieve the desired level of
dc link voltage that corresponds to the dc link
voltage demand
signal (VDC13 GEN*). The second controller (46) uses a
power demand signal (P*) indicative of the level of power to be transferred from the dc link to the supply network through the network bridge (14), and a voltage demand signal (VTURB*) indicative of the voltage to be achieved at the network terminals of the filter (16) to control the semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge (14) to achieve the desired levels of power and voltage that correspond to the power and voltage demand signals (P* and VTURB*).