Systems and methods for rapid activation of dispatchable power sources

A system includes a switch CBI configured to couple a generator 10 to a utility grid 20, a first converter 210 having a first port coupled to the generator, a second converter 220 having a first port coupled to a second port of the first converter and a second port coupled to the utility grid, and a controller 240 configured to control the switch and the first and second converters. The controller may be configured to cause the first and second converters to provide power to the utility grid from the generator after the generator starts and before a state of the generator meets a predetermined criterion (which may be synchronisation of the generator to the power grid). The system may also include an energy store 30 (such as a battery or capacitor) which can provide power to the power network 30 until the generator has started and is providing a predetermined amount of power.