A multi-output inverter system comprising: a DC to AC inverter comprising: two or more DC to AC converters that provide a plurality of output channels, the inverter adapted to draw a DC input current from a long term DC energy store and generate AC output voltages on the output channels, at least one phase controller, and a switching network with a plurality of load outputs connectable to one or more loads including mains circuits and poly-phase electric motors (50, 51), wherein the DC to AC inverter comprises or is connected to the at least one phase controller for independently controlling the phases of the AC output voltages, and the DC to AC converters are connected to the switching network, the switching network being configured to selectively connect one or more of the DC to AC converter output channels to the one or more of the load outputs, and wherein a) the at least one phase controller is arranged to control the switching network to connect a mains circuit to at least one of the DC to AC converters providing an AC output voltage having a frequency and amplitude adapted for supplying power to a mains powered apparatus, and b) the at least one phase controller is arranged to control the DC to AC converters for independently controlling the amplitude and/or frequency and/or waveform of the AC output voltages, and to control the switching network to connect the output channels of at least two DC to AC converters which are adapted to supply power for rotating poly-phase electric motors (50, 51) to one or more poly-phase electric motors (50, 51). a DC to AC inverter comprising: two or more DC to AC converters that provide a plurality of output channels, the inverter adapted to draw a DC input current from a long term DC energy store and generate AC output voltages on the output channels, at least one phase controller, and a switching network with a plurality of load outputs connectable to one or more loads including mains circuits and poly-phase electric motors (50, 51), wherein the DC to AC inverter comprises or is connected to the at least one phase controller for independently controlling the phases of the AC output voltages, and the DC to AC converters are connected to the switching network, the switching network being configured to selectively connect one or more of the DC to AC converter output channels to the one or more of the load outputs, and wherein a) the at least one phase controller is arranged to control the switching network to connect a mains circuit to at least one of the DC to AC converters providing an AC output voltage having a frequency and amplitude adapted for supplying power to a mains powered apparatus, and b) the at least one phase controller is arranged to control the DC to AC converters for independently controlling the amplitude and/or frequency and/or waveform of the AC output voltages, and to control the switching network to connect the output channels of at least two DC to AC converters which are adapted to supply power for rotating poly-phase electric motors (50, 51) to one or more poly-phase electric motors (50, 51). a) the at least one phase controller is arranged to control the switching network to connect a mains circuit to at least one of the DC to AC converters providing an AC output voltage having a frequency and amplitude adapted for supplying power to a mains powered apparatus, and b) the at least one phase controller is arranged to control the DC to AC converters for independently controlling the amplitude and/or frequency and/or waveform of the AC output voltages, and to control the switching network to connect the output channels of at least two DC to AC converters which are adapted to supply power for rotating poly-phase electric motors (50, 51) to one or more poly-phase electric motors (50, 51).