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 (VDC.sub.13 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
(VDC.sub.13 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*).