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A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttl

A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttles the generators independently according to a digitally implemented algorithm that may, but need not, use the difference(s) in supplying power to the load. In some cases, the controller regulates monitored power delivered to the load or loads. A power combiner is connected to the outputs of the generators. If desired, a buffer can be used between the generators and the load or loads to provide energy storage that can allow for the load or loads to change at a faster rate than the generators are throttled and for peak loads that temporarily exceed the capacity of the generators.

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1. A machine which independently and cooperatively throttles each of a plurality of generators in combinatively supplying electrical power to a load or loads, the machine comprising: a plurality of generators, each of the generators having a capacity to produce electrical power, wherein the generato

1. A machine which independently and cooperatively throttles each of a plurality of generators in combinatively supplying electrical power to a load or loads, the machine comprising: a plurality of generators, each of the generators having a capacity to produce electrical power, wherein the generators are joined or interconnected together so as to operate as a single unit,the generators use an energy source to each produce the electrical power,at least some of the generators are structured to be modular, and interchangeable with other modularly structured generators, as modules of the unit,the unit is structured to accept swapping of the modules, andat least two of the generators are each comprised of a hot emitter and a photovoltaic cell that converts emitted radiation from the hot emitter into said electrical power, wherein the energy source for said at least two generators is a chemical energy source that is a fuel;a power combiner located to deliver the electrical power from the generators to one or more loads; anda controller configured to receive input indicative of the swapping and to implement an algorithm which independently and cooperatively throttles each of the generators, including supply of the fuel to said at least two generators, in combinatively supplying the electrical power to the load or the loads. 2. The machine of claim 1, further including at least one sensor, each said sensor arranged to produce an indication of monitored power delivered to the load or the loads, wherein: the load or the loads vary; andthe controller is arranged to receive each said indication of the monitored power and is configured such that the algorithm uses each said indication of the monitored power in independently and cooperatively throttling each of the generators in said combinatively supplying the power with respect to the load or the loads. 3. The machine of claim 1, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 4. The machine of claim 2, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 5. The machine of claim 3, wherein the at least one difference between the generators includes at least one of power capacity, response time constant, efficiency, and maintainability. 6. The machine of claim 4, wherein the at least one difference between the generators includes at least one of power capacity, response time constant, efficiency, and maintainability. 7. The machine of claim 5, wherein the at least one difference between the generators includes at least two of power capacity, response time constant, efficiency, and maintainability. 8. The machine of claim 5, wherein the at least one difference between the generators includes at least three of power capacity, response time constant, efficiency, and maintainability. 9. The machine of claim 6, wherein the at least one difference between the generators includes at least two of power capacity, response time constant, efficiency, and maintainability. 10. The machine of claim 6, wherein the at least one difference between the generators includes at least three of power capacity, response time constant, efficiency, and maintainability. 11. The machine of claim 3, wherein a ratio of the capacities between at least two of the generators is greater than or equal to a factor of 1.5. 12. The machine of claim 4, wherein a ratio of the capacities between at least two of the generators is greater than or equal to a factor of 1.5. 13. The machine of claim 3, wherein a ratio of the capacities between any two of the generators is at least 1.5. 14. The machine of claim 4, wherein a ratio of the capacities between any two of the generators is at least 1.5. 15. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load. 16. The machine of claim 2, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load. 17. The machine of claim 3, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load. 18. The machine of claim 4, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load. 19. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load that is less than or equal to a sum of the capacities of all the generators. 20. The machine of claim 2, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load that is less than or equal to a sum of the capacities of all the generators. 21. The machine of claim 3, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load that is less than or equal to a sum of the capacities of all the generators. 22. The machine of claim 4, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load that is less than or equal to a sum of the capacities of all the generators. 23. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load to within a maximum difference by turning on selected ones of the generators. 24. The machine of claim 2, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load to within a maximum difference by turning on selected ones of the generators. 25. The machine of claim 3, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load to within a maximum difference by turning on selected ones of the generators. 26. The machine of claim 4, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched to an arbitrary load to within a maximum difference by turning on selected ones of the generators. 27. The machine of claim 3, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to an arbitrary load to within a maximum difference by turning on selected ones of the generators with the generators having the capacities following a binary sequence 1, 2, . . . 2N where N is an integer greater than 1, in units of the smallest generator. 28. The machine of claim 4, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to an arbitrary load to within a maximum difference by turning on selected ones of the generators with the generators “having the capacities following a binary sequence 1, 2, . . . 2N where N is an integer greater than 1, in units of the smallest generator. 29. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to the sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus an energy buffer and an additional generator of a capacity that is at least as great as the maximum difference, the additional generator being cycled on and off by the controller so as to charge said buffer. 30. The machine of claim 2, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to the sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus an energy buffer and an additional generator of a capacity that is at least as great as the maximum difference, the additional generator being cycled on and off by the controller so as to charge said buffer. 31. The machine of claim 3, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to the sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus an energy buffer and an additional generator of a capacity that is at least as great as the maximum difference, the additional generator being cycled on and off by the controller so as to charge said buffer. 32. The machine of claim 4, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to the sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus an energy buffer and an additional generator of a capacity that is at least as great as the maximum difference, the additional generator being cycled on and off by the controller so as to charge said buffer. 33. The machine of claim 1, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to a sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus a dummy load of capacity at least equal to the maximum difference. 34. The machine of claim 2, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to a sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus a dummy load of capacity at least equal to the maximum difference. 35. The machine of claim 3, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to a sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus a dummy load of capacity at least equal to the maximum difference. 36. The machine of claim 4, wherein the capacities of the generators have an instantaneous generating capacity matched by the controller to any arbitrary load up to a sum of the capacities of all the generators to within a maximum difference, plus a dummy load of capacity at least equal to the maximum difference. 37. The machine of claim 3, wherein a dynamic range exists within which one of the generators can be throttled is between 1/x (for x>1) and 1 times the capacity of the one generator and the capacity of the one generator is no more than x times a sum of the capacities of the generators with lower capacity. 38. The machine of claim 4, wherein a dynamic range exists within which one of the generators can be throttled is between 1/x (for x>1) and 1 times the capacity of the one generator and the capacity of the one generator is no more than x times a sum of the capacities of the generators with lower capacity. 39. The machine of claim 37, wherein x is identical for all the generators and the generator capacities have a maximum that allows for a continuous range of outputs, the capacities being 1, x, x*(x+1), . . . x*(x+1)^N wherein N is a positive integer. 40. The machine of claim 38, wherein x is identical for all the generators and the generator capacities have a maximum that allows for a continuous range of outputs, the capacities being 1, x, x*(x+1), . . . x*(x+1)^N wherein N is a positive integer. 41. The machine of claim 3, wherein at least two of the generators have dissimilar efficiencies and the algorithm uses more efficient ones of the generators more frequently and less-efficient ones of the generators less frequently to meet peak power demands. 42. The machine of claim 4, wherein at least two of the generators have dissimilar efficiencies and the algorithm uses more efficient ones of the generators more frequently and less-efficient ones of the generators less frequently to meet peak power demands. 43. The machine of claim 3, wherein at least two of the generators have dissimilar response time constants and the algorithm that uses a faster responding one of the generators to track load changes that vary faster than a response time constant of a slower responding one of the generators. 44. The machine of claim 4, wherein at least two of the generators have dissimilar response time constants and the algorithm that uses a faster responding one of the generators to track load changes that vary faster than a response time constant of a slower responding one of the generators. 45. The machine of claim 1, wherein an energy buffer is connected between at least one of the generators and the combiner, or is connected between the combiner and the load. 46. The machine of claim 2, wherein an energy buffer is connected between at least one of the generators and the combiner, or is connected between the combiner and the load. 47. The machine of claim 3, wherein an energy buffer is connected between at least one of the generators and the combiner, or is connected between the combiner and the load. 48. The machine of claim 4, wherein an energy buffer is connected between at least one of the generators and the combiner, or is connected between the combiner and the load. 49. The machine of claim 45, wherein the buffer is comprised of one or more from the group: capacitors, inductors, batteries, flywheels attached to motor-generators, compressed gas, elevated mass, heat storage, and reversible chemical storage. 50. The machine of claim 46, wherein the buffer is comprised of one or more from the group: capacitors, inductors, batteries, flywheels attached to motor-generators, compressed gas, elevated mass, heat storage, and reversible chemical storage. 51. The machine of claim 47, wherein the buffer is comprised of one or more from the group: capacitors, inductors, batteries, flywheels attached to motor-generators, compressed gas, elevated mass, heat storage, and reversible chemical storage. 52. The machine of claim 48, wherein the buffer is comprised of one or more from the group: capacitors, inductors, batteries, flywheels attached to motor-generators, compressed gas, elevated mass, heat storage, and reversible chemical storage. 53. A method of making a machine to combine power from generators to supply power to a load or loads, the method comprising: operably associating a plurality of generators, each of the generators having a capacity to produce electrical power, such that—:the generators are joined or interconnected together so as to operate as a single unit,the generators use an energy source to each produce the electrical power,at least some of the generators are structured to be modular, and interchangeable with other modularly structured generators, as modules of the unit,the unit is structured to accept swapping of the modules, andat least two of the generators are each comprised of a hot emitter and a photovoltaic cell that converts emitted radiation from the hot emitter into said electrical power, wherein the energy source for said at least two generators is a chemical energy source that is a fuel;locating a power combiner to deliver the electrical power from the generators to one or more loads; andconfiguring a controller to receive input indicative of the swapping and to implement an algorithm which independently and cooperatively throttles each of the generators, including supply of the fuel to said at least two generators, in combinatively supplying the electrical power to the load or the loads. 54. The method of claim 53, further including arranging at least one sensor to produce an indication or indications of monitored power delivered to the load or the loads, wherein: the load or the loads vary; andthe controller is arranged to receive each said indication of the monitored power and is configured such that the algorithm uses each said indication of the monitored power in independently and cooperatively throttling each of the generators in said combinatively supplying the power with respect to the load or the loads. 55. The method of claim 53, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 56. The method of claim 54, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 57. A method of using a machine to combine power from generators to supply power to a load or loads, the machine comprising: producing electric power with a plurality of generators, each of the generators having a capacity to produce electrical power, wherein the generators are joined or interconnected together so as to operate as a single unit,the generators use an energy source to each produce the electrical power,at least some of the generators are structured to be modular, and interchangeable with other modularly structured generators, as modules of the unit,the unit is structured to accept swapping of the modules, andat least two of the generators are each comprised of a hot emitter and a photovoltaic cell that converts emitted radiation from the hot emitter into said electrical power, wherein the energy source for said at least two generators is a chemical energy source that is a fuel;delivering the electrical power from the generators via a power combiner to one or more loads; andreceiving, by a controller, input indicative of the swapping and then implementing, by the controller an algorithm which independently and cooperatively throttles each of the generators in combinatively, including supply of the fuel to said at least two generators, supplying the electrical power to the load or the loads. 58. The method of claim 57, further including monitoring power delivered to the load or loads with at least one sensor, each said sensor arranged to produce an indication of monitored power delivered to the load or the loads, wherein: the load or the loads vary; andreceiving, by the controller, each said indication of the monitored power, and wherein the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses each said indication of the monitored power in independently and cooperatively throttling each of the generators in said combinatively supplying the power with respect to the load or the loads. 59. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 60. The method of claim 58, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 61. A power supply article of manufacture which independently and cooperatively throttles each of a plurality of generators in combinatively supplying electrical power to a load or loads, the article comprising: a plurality of generators, each of the generators having a capacity to produce electrical power, wherein the generators are joined or interconnected together so as to operate as a single unit,the generators use an energy source to each produce the electrical power,at least some of the generators are structured to be modular, and interchangeable with other modularly structured generators, as modules of the unit,the unit is structured to accept swapping of the modules, andat least two of the generators are each comprised of a hot emitter and a photovoltaic cell that converts emitted radiation from the hot emitter into said electrical power, wherein the energy source for said at least two generators is a chemical energy source that is a fuel;a power combiner located to deliver the electrical power from the generators to one or more loads; anda controller configured to receive input indicative of the swapping and to implement an algorithm which independently and cooperatively throttles each of the generators, including supply of the fuel to said at least two generators, in combinatively supplying the electrical power to the load or the loads. 62. The article of claim 61, further including at least one sensor, each said sensor arranged to produce an indication of monitored power delivered to the load or the loads, wherein: the load or the loads vary; andthe controller is arranged to receive each said indication of the monitored power and is configured such that the algorithm uses each said indication of the monitored power in independently and cooperatively throttling each of the generators in said combinatively supplying the power with respect to the load or the loads. 63. The article of claim 61, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 64. The article of claim 62, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 65. A method of using a machine to combine power from generators to supply power to a load or loads, the method comprising: operating a plurality of generators, each of the generators having a capacity to produce electrical power, such that—: the generators are joined or interconnected together so as to operate as a single unit,the generators use an energy source to each produce the electrical power,at least some of the generators are structured to be modular, and interchangeable with other modularly structured generators, as modules of the unit,the unit is structured to accept swapping of the modules, andat least two of the generators are each comprised of a hot emitter and a photovoltaic cell that converts emitted radiation from the hot emitter into said electrical power, wherein the energy source for said at least two generators is a chemical energy source that is a fuel;delivering, by a power combiner, the electrical power from the generators to one or more loads; andreceiving, by a controller, input indicative of the swapping and implementing, by the controller, an algorithm which independently and cooperatively throttles each of the generators, including supply of the fuel to said at least two generators, in combinatively supplying the electrical power to the load or the loads. 66. The method of claim 65, further including monitoring power delivered to the load or loads with at least one sensor, each said sensor arranged to produce an indication of monitored power delivered to the load or the loads, wherein: the load or the loads vary; andreceiving, by the controller, each said indication of the monitored power, and wherein the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses each said indication of the monitored power in independently and cooperatively throttling each of the generators in said combinatively supplying the power with respect to the load or the loads. 67. The method of claim 65, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 68. The method of claim 66, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 69. A non-transitory computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a controller to carry out the operations of: enabling a machine to combine power from generators to supply power to a load or loads, the machine comprising: a plurality of generators, each of the generators having a capacity to produce electrical power, such that: the generators are joined or interconnected together so as to operate as a single unit,the generators use an energy source to each produce the electrical power, wherein, at least some of the generators are structured to be modular, and interchangeable with other modularly structured generators, as modules of the unit, and the unit is structured to accept swapping of the modules, andat least two of the generators are each comprised of a hot emitter and a photovoltaic cell that converts emitted radiation from the hot emitter into said electrical power, wherein the energy source for said at least two generators is a chemical energy source that is a fuel;delivering, by a power combiner the electrical power from the generators to one or more loads; andreceiving, by a controller, input indicative of the swapping and implementing, by the controller, an algorithm which independently and cooperatively throttles each of the generators, including supply of the fuel to said at least two generators, in combinatively supplying the electrical power to the load or the loads. 70. The media of claim 69, wherein the operations further include monitoring power delivered to the load or loads with at least one sensor, each said sensor arranged to produce an indication of monitored power delivered to the load or the loads, wherein: the load or the loads vary; andreceiving, by the controller, each said indication of the monitored power, and wherein the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses each said indication of the monitored power in independently and cooperatively throttling each of the generators in said combinatively supplying the power with respect to the load or the loads. 71. The media of claim 69, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 72. The media of claim 70, wherein at least one difference exists between at least two of the generators, and the controller is configured such that the algorithm uses said at least one difference in selecting which of generators to throttle. 73. The media of claim 69, wherein the media is a member of a group including at least one of a ROM, a disk, an ASIC, an FPGA, and a PROM. 74. The media of claim 70, wherein the media is a member of a group including at least one of a ROM, a disk, an ASIC, an FPGA, and a PROM. 75. The media of claim 71, wherein the media is a member of a group including at least one of a ROM, a disk, an ASIC, an FPGA, and a PROM. 76. The media of claim 72, wherein the media is a member of a group including at least one of a ROM, a disk, an ASIC, an FPGA, and a PROM. 77. A product produced by the method of claim 53.