An injection molding machine energy management control apparatus for controlling at least one of: (i) a first electrically-driven prime mover configured to drive at least a first molding machine device; (ii) a second electrically-driven prime mover configured to drive at least a second molding machine device, said control apparatus comprising: a common DC link configured to provide DC energy to said first electrically-driven prime mover and to said second electrically-driven prime mover; a slave axis configured to supply energy to and absorb energy from said common DC link; a machine controller configured to (i) communicate with said first electrically-driven prime mover, said second electrically-driven prime mover, said common DC link, and said slave axis, (ii) cause said slave axis to supply energy to said common DC link in response to input from at least one of said first electrically-driven prime mover and said second electrically-driven prime mover, and (iii) cause said slave axis to absorb energy from said common DC link in response to input from at least one of said first electrically-driven prime mover and said second electrically-driven prime mover; and a high speed, bi-directional communication fieldbus configured to provide communication between said machine controller and said first electrically-driven prime mover, said second electrically-driven prime mover, said common DC link, and said slave axis, wherein the machine controller is configured to reduce the process demands by either (i) changing process steps to reduce overlapping motions or (ii) lowering the speed profiles, to ensure the installed power is not exceeded. (i) a first electrically-driven prime mover configured to drive at least a first molding machine device; (ii) a second electrically-driven prime mover configured to drive at least a second molding machine device, a common DC link configured to provide DC energy to said first electrically-driven prime mover and to said second electrically-driven prime mover; a slave axis configured to supply energy to and absorb energy from said common DC link; a machine controller configured to (i) communicate with said first electrically-driven prime mover, said second electrically-driven prime mover, said common DC link, and said slave axis, (ii) cause said slave axis to supply energy to said common DC link in response to input from at least one of said first electrically-driven prime mover and said second electrically-driven prime mover, and (iii) cause said slave axis to absorb energy from said common DC link in response to input from at least one of said first electrically-driven prime mover and said second electrically-driven prime mover; and a high speed, bi-directional communication fieldbus configured to provide communication between said machine controller and said first electrically-driven prime mover, said second electrically-driven prime mover, said common DC link, and said slave axis, wherein the machine controller is configured to reduce the process demands by either (i) changing process steps to reduce overlapping motions or (ii) lowering the speed profiles, to ensure the installed power is not exceeded. (i) changing process steps to reduce overlapping motions or (ii) lowering the speed profiles,