A method for starting a steam turbine can comprise electrically decoupling a generator configured to be driven by the steam turbine from a power supply, controlling power from the power supply to a frequency converter, and operating the generator as a starter motor with power from the frequency converter to turn the steam turbine. A power plant system can comprise a steam turbine, a generator configured to be driven by the steam turbine to supply power to a grid system, a first switch to electrically couple and decouple the generator from the grid system, a frequency converter electrically coupled to the generator, and a second switch to electrically couple and decouple the frequency converter form the grid system.