Abstract: To improve energy efficiencies, supply circuits (1) for supplying switch circuits (2) have first supply modes for receiving first amounts of input power from sources (7) and providing first amounts of output power to output circuits (5) comprising control parts (3) of the switch circuits (2) and have second supply modes for receiving second amounts of input power and providing second amounts of output power. The first amounts of output power are larger than the second amounts of output power. The second amounts of input power are larger than zero and smaller than amounts of switch power necessary for operating the switch circuits (2). The switch circuits (2) may comprise relays for switching loads (8). The first amounts of input power may arrive via main contacts of the relays. Switches (47) may switch output signal levels. The relays may be bistable relays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a decentralized power generation system comprising a plurality of decentralized power generating units (11,12;13,14). In order to enable an optimized control of these power generating units while enabling at the same time a high security in the system, it is proposed that the system further comprises a plurality of DC/DC converters (31,32), each connected to another one of the power generating units for converting a current provided by the power generating units. The proposed system moreover comprises a DC bus (40) to which the DC/DC converters feed a respectively converted current. The proposed system moreover comprises at least one power receiving component (20) retrieving current from the DC bus, which power receiving component is physically separated from the DC/DC converters. The invention relates equally to a corresponding method.