Stand alone operation system for use with utility grade synchronous wind turbine generators

A power system for an energy producing device capable of operating the energy producing device when a utility grid is unavailable, wherein said power system receives power from a generator of the energy producing device, said system comprising:

• a main power component that provides the received power to the utility grid when the utility grid is available;
• an accessory power component that provides power to accessories of the energy producing device when the utility grid is unavailable;
• and
• a switch that selectively provides the received power to one of the main power component and the accessory power component depending upon the availability of the utility grid.

A method of operating an energy producing device when a utility grid is unavailable, wherein the energy producing device includes a generator provisioned to generate power, said method comprising:

• determining an availability of the utility grid;
• providing the generated power to the accessory power component when the utility grid is determined to be unavailable;
• providing the generated power to the main power component when the utility grid is determined to be available;
• powering accessories of the energy producing device with the accessory power component when the utility grid is determined to be unavailable, wherein the accessory power component includes an energy storage device and powers the accessories with the energy storage device and/or the generated power;
• and
• powering the accessories with the utility grid when the utility grid is determined to be available.