Power supply system with heterogeneous power supplies for automatic parallel operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a power supply system for supplying power to at least one load, comprising: a plurality of power supply devices having respective voltage supply outputs, wherein the power supply devices are coupled to one another for communication purposes in a communication network. Each power supply device is designed to provide a corresponding supply voltage at the respective voltage supply output. Each power supply device is designed to detect a maximum power at its respective voltage supply output over an observation interval and to transmit the maximum power to the other power supply devices of the communication network. The observation interval is synchronous for all power supply devices. Each power supply device is designed to set the supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output on the basis of a target function which is based on the determined maximum powers of all power supply devices and optionally device-specific parameters.

Description

[0001] Power supply system with heterogeneous power supplies for automatic parallel operation

[0002] The invention relates to a power supply system for supplying power to at least one load and a method for adjusting the supply voltages of a plurality of power supply devices of a power supply system. In particular, the invention relates to the automatic parallel operation of heterogeneous power supplies.

[0003] Power supplies can be connected in parallel to one or more loads. When such power supplies, for example DC power supplies, are connected in parallel to one or more loads, the required current is distributed among the power supplies according to their set voltages. Without manual balancing, a significant imbalance can occur among the power supplies. Cable lengths, cable cross-sections, and other factors can also affect the balance. Typically, the power supplies can be balanced via manual adjustments, for example, using a potentiometer or buttons. The output voltages of the parallel power supplies are adjusted by the user to ensure a balanced load for all power supplies.

[0004] However, manual adjustment cannot react to dynamic changes. For example, if a power supply enters an unfavorable operating condition and the internal or component temperature rises significantly as a result, a device may be subjected to increased stress, to which manual adjustment cannot react, potentially leading to malfunctions or even power supply failures.

[0005] The invention aims to provide a continuous, automatic adjustment of the power supplies in a power supply system, enabling a rapid response to adverse operating conditions and thus preventing the disadvantages described above. This objective is achieved by the components with the features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0006] The invention is based on the concept of continuous automatic load balancing of several heterogeneous power supplies connected in parallel to optimize the load on the power supplies, as presented below.

[0007] The solution to the problem described above lies in the automatic response to dynamic processes within the system that can lead to increased stress on a device. Only automatically optimizing parallel operation can provide a rapid response to unfavorable operating conditions. Operation that has been manually calibrated once is incapable of this.

[0008] Automatic balancing eliminates the need for manual adjustment by the user, meaning installation can be completed more quickly. Balanced power supplies have a longer lifespan because none are subjected to excessive stress. Thermal considerations and other dynamic factors can be taken into account, as presented here.

[0009] For simplified commissioning, the coordination of the individual power supplies can be automated. The power supplies are aware of which other power supplies they are operating in parallel with, for example, via automatic wiring detection, user configuration, or according to a definition in the power supply manual.

[0010] They then automatically adjust their output voltages to each other. In addition to the load on the power supplies, this adjustment can also take into account other parameters that serve to optimize lifespan or efficiency. These could include, for example, component temperatures, the efficiency of internal hardware, state of health (SoH), power consumption over the lifetime (full-load equivalents), and similar factors.

[0011] Once it is known which other power supplies are operating in parallel, the load can be distributed as evenly as possible. Each power supply can calculate its own load share based on the total power of all power supplies and their respective loads. Additional factors can then be added to adjust these individual shares.

[0012] The implementation can support both identical (homogeneous system) and different (heterogeneous system) power supplies.

[0013] The invention is based on the idea of ​​creating an automatic load balancing system for several heterogeneous power supplies connected in parallel, in order to optimize the load on the power supplies.

[0014] All participating power supplies measure their maximum power output over an observation period and then calculate the necessary adjustment of the output voltage. This output voltage can be adjusted in one or more steps to achieve the determined output power.

[0015] The calculations are based on a relative approach (share of the load supply) and are distributed evenly on this basis.

[0016] Impending overloads of individual power supplies, which manifest themselves in other parameters such as temperature, can be used as an additional criterion.

[0017] The solution allows for a response to dynamic events and conditions, such as operating a power supply at an unfavorable operating point.

[0018] The power supply system includes power supply devices such as AC / DC or DC / DC power supplies, or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and loads that are electrically supplied by the power supply devices.

[0019] Such an electrical network of power supply devices can be mounted on a mounting rail, for example in a control cabinet, and can therefore be flexibly expanded or reduced depending on the local requirements, such as the customer's needs.According to a first aspect, the problem described above is solved by a power supply system for supplying power to at least one load, comprising: a plurality of power supply devices with respective voltage supply outputs, which are interconnected via device wiring to a common voltage supply output configured to supply power to the at least one load, wherein the power supply devices are interconnected in a communication network; wherein each power supply device is configured to provide a corresponding supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output; wherein each power supply device is configured to deliver a maximum power at its respective voltage supply output over an observation interval or period.to record an observation period and transmit it to the other power supply devices of the communication network; wherein the observation interval or observation period is synchronous for all power supply devices; wherein each power supply device is configured to adjust the supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output based on a target function which is based on the determined maximum powers of all power supply devices and optionally device-specific parameters.

[0020] Such a power supply system can automatically adjust the power supplies, allowing for a quick response to adverse operating conditions and ensuring a balanced load on all power supplies.

[0021] This results in a longer lifespan for the power supply system, as none of its power supply components are subjected to excessive stress. Furthermore, thermal considerations and other dynamic factors can be taken into account, leading to an even better balanced load distribution across all power supplies.

[0022] Automatic synchronization eliminates the need for manual synchronization by the user, meaning installation can be completed faster.

[0023] The synchronicity of the observation interval or observation period means that the respective maximum power outputs of the individual power supply devices are determined simultaneously, resulting in an even distribution of at least one load between the power supplies.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, the objective function takes into account the share of each power supply device in the load supply of the at least one load and leads to an adjustment of the supply voltages of the respective power supply devices according to their share.

[0025] This allows for a balanced load on all power supply devices in the system to be achieved in an advantageous way.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, the objective function is based on a summation of the maximum power outputs of all power supply devices determined during the observation interval.

[0027] This takes into account the maximum power outputs of all power supply devices in the system when configuring each individual power supply device. The total output can also be weighted to give greater weight to certain power supply devices.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, the objective function is based on a respective detected or measured output power Pi of the plurality of power supply devices and, in the case of a number i of power supply devices, is based on a summation of the respective output powers P^.

[0029] This ensures that the performance requirements of all loads connected to the

[0030] Power supply devices connected to the system are taken into account.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, each power supply device is configured to adjust its supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output according to the following objective function: where P t The target power at the respective power supply output is designated according to the supply voltage at the power supply output, P nomMay, the nominal power of the corresponding power supply unit, as specified in the power supply unit's datasheet, P nom maii the nominal power of the i-th power supply device (100), i the index of the respective power supply device, P t the recorded or measured output power of the respective power supply device.

[0032] This optimizes the load on the power supplies, ensuring that none are overloaded. The shared observation phase and the measured maximum power synchronize the participants for the calculation, as the maximum value occurred simultaneously for all of them. The data at the time of the maximum value is then communicated to all participants for the calculation.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, each power supply device is configured to output its supply voltage at the voltage supply output, which is necessary to achieve the target power P. ta rget an to determine and adjust the corresponding voltage supply output.

[0034] The current required by the loads is distributed among the power supplies according to the set voltages. The respective voltage at the corresponding power supply output can therefore be easily determined based on the corresponding target power. In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, the device-specific parameters include at least one of the following: component temperatures of the power supply components; efficiencies of the internal hardware of the power supplies; state of health or remaining service life of the respective power supplies; and the work output of the respective power supply during its service life. The idea here is to include a weighting parameter that enables an improved service life for all devices.

[0035] This allows for the advantageous determination of further device-specific parameters, which can then be incorporated into the supply voltage settings. These device-specific parameters can include, for example, parameters of the power supply units or loads, such as the temperatures of critical components like power chips, circuit breakers, or processors.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, each power supply device is configured to transmit the device-specific parameters of the power supply device to the other power supply devices of the communication network for setting the respective supply voltages based on the target function.

[0037] This allows each power supply device to adjust its supply voltage based on the device-specific parameters of the other power supply devices, resulting in better matching, as critical system conditions can also be taken into account.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, each power supply device is configured to detect the component temperature of critical components of the power supply device within the observation interval and to transmit it to the other power supply devices of the communication network for adjusting the respective supply voltages based on the target function.

[0039] This allows each power supply device to adjust its supply voltage based on the component temperatures of critical components, not only from itself, but also from the other power supply devices in the system and optionally also from the component temperatures of critical components of the connected loads, resulting in better balancing, as critical system states can also be taken into account.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, each power supply device is configured to adjust its supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output according to the following modified objective function: where Ptarget denotes the target power at the respective power supply outputs according to the set supply voltage, P modthe power modified based on temperature requirements, 7 the recorded temperatures of the respective power supply devices, T avg the average temperature across all power supply devices, T own the temperature determined by a specific power supply device itself, factor temp a temperature adjustment factor of the specific power supply device and mod temp a modification factor for adjusting the target performance P target .

[0041] This allows the recorded temperatures of the respective power supply devices to be taken into account in a suitable way in order to optimally adjust the supply voltages of the respective power supply devices.

[0042] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, all power supply devices are either identical in construction or of different designs. This allows for a flexible power supply system design. It can be a homogeneous or a heterogeneous system.

[0043] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, the power supply devices are configured to receive information via the communication network about which other power supply devices their voltage supply outputs are connected in parallel via the device wiring.

[0044] This information allows the power supply devices to determine which other power supply devices they can use to share the supply voltage for the loads.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, the power supply devices are configured to transmit their respective maximum power only to other power supply devices in the communication network whose voltage supply outputs are connected in parallel with the voltage supply output of the corresponding power supply device.

[0046] This ensures that the power supply devices only distribute the voltage supply for the supply of the connected loads with power supply devices whose voltage supply outputs are connected in parallel to their voltage supply output.

[0047] In an advantageous embodiment of the power supply system, the device wiring of the power supply system is expandable or reducible to connect more or fewer power supply devices to the power supply system; wherein the power supply system is configured to send the information to the respective power supply devices of the power supply system, upon expansion or reduction, indicating which other power supply devices the respective voltage supply outputs are connected in parallel to via the device wiring.

[0048] This ensures that only one adjustment of the supply voltages of the power supply devices belonging to the power supply system takes place. According to a second aspect, the problem described above is solved by a method for adjusting the supply voltages of a plurality of power supply devices of a power supply system for supplying power to at least one load, wherein the plurality of power supply devices comprise respective voltage supply outputs which are connected via device wiring to a common voltage supply output, wherein each power supply device is configured to provide a corresponding supply voltage at the respective voltage supply output, and wherein the power supply devices are communicatively coupled to each other in a communication network;wherein the method comprises: detecting, by each power supply device, a maximum power at a respective voltage supply output of the power supply device over an observation interval that is synchronous for all power supply devices; transmitting the detected maximum power to the other power supply devices of the communication network; and adjusting the supply voltage of a respective power supply device at its respective voltage supply output based on a target function which is based on the detected maximum powers of all power supply devices and optionally device-specific parameters.

[0049] Such a method can automatically balance the power supplies, enabling a rapid response to adverse operating conditions and ensuring a balanced load across all power supplies. This automatic balancing eliminates the need for manual adjustments by the user, resulting in faster installation. The power supply system is thus protected from excessive strain and has a longer lifespan. Furthermore, thermal considerations and other dynamic factors can also be taken into account, leading to an even more balanced load distribution across all power supplies.

[0050] Further examples of implementation are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0051] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a power supply system 10 according to a first embodiment according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a power supply system 10 according to a second embodiment according to the invention; and

[0052] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a method 500 according to the invention for adjusting the supply voltages of a plurality of power supply devices of a power supply system 10.

[0053] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof and illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be implemented. It is understood that other embodiments can also be used and structural or logical modifications can be made without deviating from the concept of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be understood as limiting. Furthermore, it is understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein can be combined with one another, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0054] The aspects and embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, whereby identical reference numerals generally refer to identical elements.

[0055] Devices and procedures are described. It is understood that fundamental properties of the devices also apply to the procedures and vice versa. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, a duplicate description of such properties will be omitted where necessary.

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a power supply system 10 according to a first embodiment according to the invention.

[0057] The power supply system 10 serves to supply power, for example a DC power supply, to at least one load 200. It comprises a plurality of power supply devices 100 with respective voltage supply outputs 310, for example DC outputs 310, which are connected via device wiring 300 to a common voltage supply output 301, which is configured to supply power to the at least one load 200.

[0058] Figure 1 shows three such power supply units 100, but any other number of power supplies 100 is also possible, for example, two, four, five, six, etc. The power supply units 100 are interconnected in a communication network 400. Figure 1 also shows three loads 200, but any other number of loads 200 is also possible, for example, only one, two, four, five, six, etc., as indicated by the extension lines in Figure 1.

[0059] The power supplies 100 and the loads 200 are also interconnected via the device wiring 300, for example via a DC connection, and thus electrically connected. In this example, all power supplies 100 and all loads 200 are electrically interconnected via the device wiring 300.

[0060] The loads 200 each have power supply inputs 320, for example DC inputs, which are interconnected via the device wiring 300 and connected to the power supply outputs 310 of the power supply units 100. They are supplied with current or power via these power supply inputs 320.

[0061] The communication links 400 in the communication network 400 can be wireless or wired. For example, they can be Ethernet connections, WLAN connections, Bluetooth, IR, radio, mobile, NFC, or any other communication connection.

[0062] Each power supply unit 100 is designed to provide a corresponding supply voltage at the respective power supply output 310.

[0063] Each power supply unit 100 is further configured to detect a maximum power at its respective voltage supply output 310 over an observation interval and to transmit this information to the other power supply units 100 of the communication network 400; the observation interval being synchronous for all power supply units 100. The observation interval may, for example, cover a period in the range of milliseconds, seconds, or possibly even minutes. A range of milliseconds is preferred here, in particular a range of approximately 500 ms to 600 ms.

[0064] The adjustment of the respective supply voltages can take place in an observation interval after startup or initialization or expansion or reduction of the power supply system 10, or one after the other, for example periodically within several observation intervals or in an observation interval on demand, for example by a control computer or by the system.

[0065] The maximum power output can be determined, for example, by recording the power outputs during the observation interval and then calculating the maximum power output recorded within that interval. Alternatively, an initial power output recorded during the observation period can be stored in a buffer, which is then overwritten by a second power output recorded during the same period if it is greater than the one already stored. This process can be repeated with further power outputs recorded during the observation period until the maximum power output is stored at the end of the observation period.

[0066] Each power supply unit 100 is designed to adjust the supply voltage at its respective power supply output 310 based on a target function which is based on the determined maximum powers of all power supply units 100 and optionally device-specific parameters.

[0067] The objective function can, for example, take into account the share of each power supply device 100 in the load supply of at least one load 200 and lead to an adjustment of the supply voltages of the respective power supply devices 100 according to their share.

[0068] The objective function can, for example, be based on a summation or addition of the maximum power outputs of all power supply devices measured within the observation interval 100. The objective function can, for example, be based on a respective output power P. t the majority of power supply devices are based on a summation or addition of the respective output powers P; for a number i of power supply devices.

[0069] Each power supply device 100 can be configured to adjust its supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output 310, for example, according to the following objective function: p

[0070] P = p * required

[0071] 'target' nominal n

[0072] ' available with: where Ptarget denotes the target power at the respective power supply output according to the supply voltage at the power supply output, P nO mmai the nominal power of the corresponding power supply unit, which is specified in the power supply unit's datasheet, P nO minait is the nominal power of the i-th power supply device (100), i is the index of the respective power supply device, P t the recorded or measured output power of the respective power supply device.

[0073] Each power supply unit 100 can be configured to supply its voltage to the voltage supply output 310, which is necessary to achieve the target power P taThe desired output voltage (rget) at the corresponding power supply output 310 is to be determined and set at the power supply output 310. This determination can depend on various parameters of the power supply unit 100 and the one or more loads, such as their impedances, cable lengths, cable cross-sections, and other parameters. The device-specific parameters can include at least one of the following: component temperatures of components of the power supply unit 100; and efficiencies of internal hardware of the power supply unit 100. These device-specific parameters can optionally be incorporated into the objective function.

[0074] Each power supply unit 100 can be configured to transmit its device-specific parameters to the other power supply units 100 of the communication network 400 for setting the respective supply voltages based on the target function. This transmission occurs via the communication channels of the communication network 400, as indicated by the double arrows in Figure 1. Alternatively, an external control unit (not shown in Figure 1) can be provided to control the communication between the power supply units 100.

[0075] Each power supply unit 100 can be configured to detect a component temperature of critical components of the power supply unit 100 within the observation interval and transmit it to the other power supply units 100 of the communication network 400 for setting the respective supply voltages based on the target function.

[0076] Each power supply device 100 can also be configured to adjust its supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output 310 according to the following modified target function: where P t The target power output at the respective power supply outputs is designated according to the set supply voltage, P mod the power modified based on temperature requirements, 7 the recorded temperatures of the respective power supply devices 100, T avg the average temperature across all power supply devices 100, T own the temperature determined by a specific power supply unit 100 itself, factor temp a temperature adjustment factor of the specific power supply device 100 and Mod temp a modification factor for adjusting the target performance P target .

[0077] This modified objective function corresponds to the objective function described above, but also takes into account the device-specific parameters that were presented above as optional.

[0078] In one embodiment of the power supply system 10, all power supply devices 100 are identical in construction. It is therefore a homogeneous power supply system 10.

[0079] In an alternative embodiment of the power supply system 10, all or at least two of the power supply devices 100 are of different designs. This is therefore a heterogeneous power supply system 10.

[0080] The power supply devices 100 can be configured to receive information via the communication network 400 about which other power supply devices 100 have their voltage supply outputs 310 connected in parallel via the device wiring 300.

[0081] The power supply units 100 can also be configured to transmit their respective maximum power only to other power supply units 100 of the communication network 400 whose power supply outputs 310 are connected in parallel with the power supply output 310 of the corresponding power supply unit. The communication network 400 can thus also include additional power supply units 100 that are not connected to the power supply units 100 described above via the device wiring 300, for example, those that are assigned to a different power supply system. The device wiring 300 of the power supply system 10 can be designed to be expandable or reducible in order to connect more or fewer power supply units 100 to the power supply system 10.

[0082] The power supply system 10 can be configured to send information to the respective power supply devices 300 of the power supply system 10, in the event of an expansion or reduction, indicating which other power supply devices 100 the respective voltage supply outputs 310 are connected in parallel to via the device wiring 300. This ensures that only the supply voltages of the power supply devices 100 belonging to the power supply system 10 are adjusted.

[0083] The communicative coupling of the majority of the electrical devices 100, 200 can be implemented separately from the device wiring 300. In a special embodiment, such as powerline communication, the communicative coupling can also take place via the device wiring 300.

[0084] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a power supply system 10 according to a second embodiment according to the invention.

[0085] The power supply system 10 corresponds to the power supply system 10 described above with reference to Figure 1 and serves to supply, for example, a DC power supply, to at least one load 200. It comprises a plurality of power supply devices 100 with respective voltage supply outputs 310, for example, DC outputs 310, which are connected via device wiring 300 to a common voltage supply output 301, which is configured to supply the at least one load 200 with current.

[0086] In contrast to the power supply system 10 from Figure 1, the communication network 400 in the power supply system 10 of Figure 2 also includes the loads 200, which are likewise interconnected with each other and with the power supply units 100 via communication links 400. As described above, all participating power supplies 100 measure their maximum power over an observation period and then calculate the required adjustment of the output voltage. This output voltage can be adjusted in one or more steps to achieve the determined output power.

[0087] The calculations are based on a relative approach (share of the load supply) and are distributed evenly on this basis.

[0088] Impending overloads of individual power supplies 100, which manifest themselves in other parameters such as temperature, can be used as an additional criterion.

[0089] This allows for a quick and reliable response to dynamic events and conditions, such as operating a power supply at an unfavorable operating point.

[0090] The project can be implemented in at least two phases: one for observation and one for adjustment. The observation phase serves to determine the maximum values, while the adjustment phase is used to adapt the initial power output of all participants. The shared observation phase and the measured maximum power output synchronize the participants for the calculation, as the maximum value must have occurred simultaneously for everyone. The data at the time of the maximum value is then communicated to all participants for the calculation.

[0091] For further adjustments, additional parameters are weighted with factors and applied to the calculation result. Here, the component temperature of critical components is used as an example.

[0092] The devices calculate and adjust their output voltage to achieve the desired power output. The output voltages are then adjusted by all participants in one step or in several steps.

[0093] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a method 500 according to the invention for adjusting the supply voltages of a plurality of power supply devices of a power supply system 10.

[0094] Method 500 serves to adjust the supply voltages of a plurality of power supply devices 100 of a power supply system 10 for supplying power to at least one load 200, wherein the plurality of power supply devices 100 comprise respective voltage supply outputs 310 which are connected via device wiring 300 to a common voltage supply output 301, as shown above in relation to Figures 1 and 2, wherein each power supply device 100 is configured to provide a corresponding supply voltage at the respective voltage supply output 310, and wherein the power supply devices 100 are communicatively coupled to each other in a communication network 400, as shown above in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

[0095] Procedure 500 includes the following:

[0096] 501. Each power supply unit 100 detects a maximum power at a respective voltage supply output 310 of the power supply unit 100 over an observation interval that is synchronous for all power supply units 100; 502. transmits the detected maximum power to the other power supply units 100 of the communication network 400; and

[0097] Setting 503 the supply voltage of a respective power supply device 100 at its respective voltage supply output 310 based on a target function which is based on the determined maximum powers of all power supply devices 100 and optional device-specific parameters, as described above for Figures 1 and 2.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Power supply system (10) for supplying power to at least one load (200), comprising: a plurality of power supply devices (100) with respective voltage supply outputs (310) connected via device wiring (300) to a common voltage supply output (301) configured to supply power to the at least one load (200), wherein the power supply devices (100) are communicatively coupled to one another in a communication network (400); wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to provide a corresponding supply voltage at the respective voltage supply output (310); wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to detect a maximum power at its respective voltage supply output (310) over an observation interval and to transmit it to the other power supply devices (100) of the communication network (400);wherein the observation interval for all power supply devices (100) is synchronous; wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to adjust the supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output (310) based on a target function which is based on the determined maximum powers of all power supply devices (100) and optionally device-specific parameters.; 2. Power supply system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the objective function takes into account a proportion of each power supply device (100) in the load supply of the at least one load (200) and leads to an adjustment of the supply voltages of the respective power supply devices (100) according to their proportion.

3. Power supply system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the objective function is based on a summation of the maximum powers of all power supply devices (100) determined in the observation interval.

4. Power supply system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the objective function is based on a respective output power P t based on the majority of power supply devices (100) and, for a number of i power supply devices (100), a summation of the respective output powers 5. Power supply system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to adjust its supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output (310) according to the following objective function: p P = p * required 'target' nominal n 'available with' where Ptarget denotes the target power at the respective power supply output according to the supply voltage at the power supply output, P nomMay, the nominal power of the corresponding power supply unit, which is specified in the power supply unit's datasheet, P nominaii the nominal power of the i-th power supply device (100), i the index of the respective power supply device (100), P ; the output power of the respective power supply unit (100).

6. Power supply system (10) according to claim 5, wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to supply its supply voltage to the voltage supply output (310), which is necessary to achieve the target power P tar get an to determine the corresponding power supply output (310) and to set it at the power supply output (310).

7. Power supply system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device-specific parameters include at least one of the following parameters: component temperatures of components of the power supply devices (100); efficiencies of internal hardware of the power supply devices (100); state of health or remaining lifetime of the respective power supply devices; work delivered by the respective power supply device during its lifetime.

8. Power supply system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to transmit the device-specific parameters of the power supply device (100) to the other power supply devices (100) of the communication network (400) for setting the respective supply voltages based on the target function.

9. Power supply system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to detect a component temperature of critical components of the power supply device (100) within the observation interval and to transmit it to the other power supply devices (100) of the communication network (400) for setting the respective supply voltages based on the target function.

10. Power supply system (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to adjust its supply voltage at its respective voltage supply output (310) according to the following modified objective function: where P target The target power output at the respective power supply outputs is designated according to the set supply voltage, P modthe power modified based on temperature requirements, 7) the recorded temperatures of the respective power supply units (100), T avg the average temperature across all power supply devices (100), T own the temperature of a specific power supply device (100), Factor temp a temperature adjustment factor of the specific power supply device (100) and mod temp a modification factor for adjusting the target performance P target .

11. Power supply system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein all power supply devices (100) are identical in construction or of different designs.

12. Power supply system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply devices (100) are configured to receive information via the communication network (400) about which other power supply devices (100) their voltage supply outputs (310) are connected in parallel via the device wiring (300).

13. Power supply system (10) according to claim 12, wherein the power supply devices (100) are configured to transmit their respective detected maximum power only to such other power supply devices (100) of the communication network (400) whose voltage supply outputs (310) are connected in parallel with the voltage supply output (310) of the corresponding power supply device.

14. Power supply system (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the device wiring (300) of the power supply system (10) is expandable or reducible to connect more or fewer power supply devices (100) to the power supply system (10); wherein the power supply system (10) is configured, upon expansion or reduction, to send the information to the respective power supply devices (300) of the power supply system (10) with which other power supply devices (100) the respective voltage supply outputs (310) are connected in parallel via the device wiring (300).

15. Method (500) for adjusting the supply voltages of a plurality of power supply devices (100) of a power supply system (10) for supplying power to at least one load (200), wherein the plurality of power supply devices (100) comprise respective voltage supply outputs (310) which are interconnected via device wiring (300) to a common voltage supply output (301), wherein each power supply device (100) is configured to provide a corresponding supply voltage at the respective voltage supply output (310), and wherein the power supply devices (100) are communicatively coupled to one another in a communication network (400); wherein the method comprises the following: Detect (501), by each power supply unit (100), a maximum power at a respective voltage supply output (310) of the power supply unit (100) over an observation interval which is synchronous for all power supply units (100); Transmitting (502) the detected maximum power to the other power supply devices (100) of the communication network (400); and Setting (503) the supply voltage of a respective power supply device (100) at its respective voltage supply output (310) based on a target function which is based on the determined maximum powers of all power supply devices (100) and optional device-specific parameters.

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