Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining a voltage output of a programmable power converter based on programming voltage data received from one of a variety of alternate sources. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a control unit is adapted to monitor a digital data serial interface, a digital data parallel interface, and an analog data interface to determine whether programming voltage data has been received. If programming voltage data has been received, the data is used to determine an output voltage for the programmable power converter. If more than one set of programming voltage data has been received, a determination is made as to which set of data takes priority. The selected set of data is then used to determine an output voltage for the programmable power converter.

Abstract: A distributed power generating system enables very rapid and reliable start-up of an engine used to generate back-up power, thereby substantially reducing the need for stored power. More particularly, the distributed power generating system comprises a power bus electrically coupled to commercial power and to a load, an engine comprising a rotatable shaft, a starter/generator operatively coupled to the shaft of the engine and electrically coupled to the power bus, and a temporary storage device electrically coupled to the power bus. The starter/generator is adapted to start the engine from a standstill condition and rapidly bring the engine to an operational speed sustainable by the engine alone. In an embodiment of the invention, the distributed power generating system further comprises switchgear electrically coupled to the power bus, the starter/generator and the load.