Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator drive unit for managing a regenerative power of an elevator system. The elevator drive unit comprises: first terminals for connecting the elevator drive unit to the mains; second terminals for connecting the elevator drive unit to an elevator hoisting motor; a frequency converter for enabling a bidirectional transfer of power between the mains and the elevator hoisting motor; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: obtain an indication representing a detection of a special operational situation of the elevator system, introduce a non-zero power limit specific to the detected special operational situation of the elevator system, and control the frequency converter to limit supply of the regenerative power from the elevator hoisting motor to the mains to the power limit. The invention relates also to an elevator system and a method for managing a regenerative power of an elevator system.