A method is provided for controlling a multivalent energy supply system including at least two energy generators using at least two different energy carriers to provide heat, cold, and/or electrical energy. For each generator, a closed-loop controller controls variables of the generator. Each generator assumes one of three possible switching states: the generator must be switched on, must be switched off, or may be switched on or off. The system includes a control device for coordinatedly controlling the closed-loop controllers. The control device detects at least one request for heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy and determines whether a specific criterion is present which specifies exactly one of the three possible switching states for each generator. The control device determines target values for meeting the request depending on the request and the specific criterion and outputs the target values to the closed-loop controllers.