A method of managing operation of a plurality of storage devices includes receiving current consumption information from at least one of the plurality of storage devices; and managing operation of at least one storage device, the operation management including permitting current consumption of a first one of the storage devices based on current consumption information that pertains to at least a second one of the storage devices. Also provided is a storage system that includes a plurality of storage devices, where each storage devices is configured to store data. A state machine, connected to each of the storage devices, is operative to permit current consumption of a first storage device based on current consumption information pertaining to at least a second storage device.