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A domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit includes a Stirling engine 1 to provide heat for a domestic dwelling along with a source of electrical power. Under normal operation, the dchp is supplied with power from the national grid. When there is an interruption in the mains power from the grid,

A domestic combined heat and power (dchp) unit includes a Stirling engine 1 to provide heat for a domestic dwelling along with a source of electrical power. Under normal operation, the dchp is supplied with power from the national grid. When there is an interruption in the mains power from the grid, the dchp switches into a grid independent mode wherein power is generated by the dchp and is supplied to a controller 26 and to a water pump so as to maintain integrity of heat supply to the dwelling; the remaining power after that is supplied to selected domestic electrically powered equipment such as lights or television sets. The invention also discloses methods for black start of the dchp during a mains power loss, and also modification of the operating voltage on start up of electrical equipment during a power loss, to prevent the Stirling engine stalling.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A domestic power system to provide the heat and at least a portion of the electrical power requirements in a domestic dwelling, the domestic dwelling having a plurality of electricity consuming devices each of which have an electrical power requirement, the system compr

The invention claimed is: 1. A domestic power system to provide the heat and at least a portion of the electrical power requirements in a domestic dwelling, the domestic dwelling having a plurality of electricity consuming devices each of which have an electrical power requirement, the system comprising: a micro-cogeneration unit, operable both in the presence and absence of a main power supply, the micro-cogeneration unit comprising a combustible fuel supply, and arranged to produce an electrical power output and a heat output; a grid connector, for connecting the domestic power system to a main power supply; a detector, for detecting interruption of the main power supply; and a system controller arranged to connect the power output from the micro-cogeneration to all of the plurality of electricity consuming devices when the main power supply is present and to connect the power output from the micro-cogeneration to a selected subset of the plurality of electricity consuming devices having a lower electrical power demand than the total domestic power requirement, so as to provide electrical backup power thereto in the absence of main power, when the detector detects interruption of the main power supply. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein: the micro-cogeneration unit comprises a Stirling engine and a start-up system; the Stirling engine including: a burner; an engine head; an alternator; and a reciprocating member; wherein the burner is arranged to input heat energy into the engine head so as to drive said reciprocating member; and further wherein the reciprocating member produces an electrical output via said alternator; and the start-up system including: a controller for controlling the start-up of the Stirling engine; an ignitor to ignite the burner; a pulse generator to supply an electrical pulse to the Stirling engine so as to set the reciprocating member in motion when the Stirling engine controller determines that the engine head has reached a threshold temperature; and a local limited supply of electrical power to power the Stirling engine controller, the ignitor and the pulse generator during the start-up operation. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power output limiter arranged to limit the power output of the micro-cogeneration unit to a value equal to or less than a predetermined maximum available power output thereof, during the absence of a main power supply. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the power output limiter is a voltage controller arranged, during the absence of a main power supply, to control the instantaneous peak voltage to a value less than a normal operating voltage, when the current to be drawn by a load exceeds the maximum current that could be drawn from the micro-cogeneration unit at the said normal operating voltage provided thereby. 5. A system according to claim 4, where the voltage controller is an impedance conversion wave controller. 6. The system of claim 4, further comprising a timer arranged to determine the amount of time over which the current to be drawn by the said load exceeds the said maximum current that could be drawn at the said normal operating RMS voltage, the power output of the micro-cogeneration unit being isolated from use by the said selected subset of the plurality of electricity consuming devices when the determined time exceeds a predetermined threshold. 7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the combustible fuel supply is a domestic gas supply. 8. A system according to claim 1, wherein the micro-cogeneration unit comprises a Stirling engine. 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the Stirling engine is a linear free piston Stirling engine. 10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the selected subset of the plurality of electricity consuming devices is a subset of those supplied in the domestic dwelling, and wherein the system is provided with means to selectively disconnect those of the plurality of electricity consuming devices not forming a part of said subset thereof, in the absence of main power. 11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the detector for detecting interruption of the main power supply is also able to detect when the voltage or frequency of the main power supply are outside acceptable levels. 12. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical sink to consume excess electricity. 13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the electrical sink is provided in the form of an air or water cooled resistor. 14. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a heat sink to consume excess heat. 15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the heat sink is a supplementary airstream which is able to dissipate heat output from the domestic combined heat and power unit. 16. A system according to claim 14, wherein the heat sink is a radiator of a domestic central heating system.