Power production - Revision history

Bilka: /* Solar panels and accumulators */ linked wiki tutorial together with the other see also links

2026-03-09T16:51:38Z

Solar panels and accumulators: linked wiki tutorial together with the other see also links

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 9 March 2026
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	== Solar panels and accumulators ==		== Solar panels and accumulators ==
	~~:''See also: [[Tutorial:Solar power math]]''~~

	=== Optimal ratio ===		=== Optimal ratio ===
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	* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=629003#p629003 Day-Night cycle times in Space Age and Solar Power (Factorio forums)]		* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?p=629003#p629003 Day-Night cycle times in Space Age and Solar Power (Factorio forums)]
	* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=119040 Solar Power in Space Age - Definitive Ratios for Planets, Qualities and Throughput-Limits (Factorio forums)]		* [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=119040 Solar Power in Space Age - Definitive Ratios for Planets, Qualities and Throughput-Limits (Factorio forums)]
			* [[Tutorial:Solar power math]]

	== Nuclear power ==		== Nuclear power ==

Cardinal: /* Solar panels and accumulators */ Added link to Tutorial:Solar power math.

2025-12-10T06:26:37Z

Solar panels and accumulators: Added link to Tutorial:Solar power math.

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:26, 10 December 2025
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	== Solar panels and accumulators ==		== Solar panels and accumulators ==
			:''See also: [[Tutorial:Solar power math]]''

	=== Optimal ratio ===		=== Optimal ratio ===
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	Additionally, solar power production in Vulcanus atmosphere is 400% of that of Nauvis. With normal quality solar panels and accumulators, the ratio is 0.72576 accumulator per solar panel. 3 accumulators per 4 panel is pretty close.		Additionally, solar power production in Vulcanus atmosphere is 400% of that of Nauvis. With normal quality solar panels and accumulators, the ratio is 0.72576 accumulator per solar panel. 3 accumulators per 4 panel is pretty close.


	=== See also ===		=== See also ===

Lord joshi: /* Fusion power{{SA}} */ correction (hot fluoroketone can be barreled)

2025-05-07T11:40:14Z

Fusion power{{SA}}: correction (hot fluoroketone can be barreled)

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 7 May 2025
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	[[Fusion reactor]]s consume the power cells, cold fluoroketone, and electricity to produce [[plasma]]. The plasma is fed into [[fusion generator]]s which produce electricity and [[fluoroketone (hot)]]. The hot fluoroketone must then be fed into a [[cryogenic plant]] to cool it back down, which can produce a self-sustaining loop. However, as the reactors require electricity (10 mW) to generate plasma, there must be some other power source already on the network to jump-start the system. After that, even a single fusion generator will create enough power to sustain the reactor.		[[Fusion reactor]]s consume the power cells, cold fluoroketone, and electricity to produce [[plasma]]. The plasma is fed into [[fusion generator]]s which produce electricity and [[fluoroketone (hot)]]. The hot fluoroketone must then be fed into a [[cryogenic plant]] to cool it back down, which can produce a self-sustaining loop. However, as the reactors require electricity (10 mW) to generate plasma, there must be some other power source already on the network to jump-start the system. After that, even a single fusion generator will create enough power to sustain the reactor.

	Because ~~the fluids~~ which produce the power cells ~~and hot fluoroketone~~ cannot be [[barrel\|barrelled]], production of them is confined to Aquilo. However, as the cold fluoroketone ''can'' be barreled, it and the power cells can be shipped to other planets with relative ease.		Because [[ammonia\|ammonia]], which is needed to produce the power cells cannot be [[barrel\|barrelled]], production of them is confined to Aquilo. However, as the cold and hot fluoroketone ''can'' be barreled, it and the power cells can be shipped to other planets with relative ease.

	=== Ratio calculations ===		=== Ratio calculations ===

Elf222: /* Fusion power{{SA}} */

2025-04-28T13:35:45Z

Fusion power{{SA}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:35, 28 April 2025
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	Fusion power requires the production of two ingredients to function: [[fusion power cell]]s and [[fluoroketone (cold)]]. Both can only be produced on [[Aquilo]] using the planet's exclusive fluid resources, and [[holmium plate]]s imported from [[Fulgora]].		Fusion power requires the production of two ingredients to function: [[fusion power cell]]s and [[fluoroketone (cold)]]. Both can only be produced on [[Aquilo]] using the planet's exclusive fluid resources, and [[holmium plate]]s imported from [[Fulgora]].

	[[Fusion reactor]]s consume the power cells, cold fluoroketone, and electricity to produce [[plasma]]. The plasma is fed into [[fusion generator]]s which produce electricity and [[fluoroketone (hot)]]. The hot fluoroketone must then be fed into a [[cryogenic plant]] to cool it back down, which can produce an self-sustaining loop. However, as the reactors require electricity (10 mW) to generate plasma, there must be some other power source already on the network to jump-start the system. After that, even a single fusion generator will create enough power to sustain the reactor.		[[Fusion reactor]]s consume the power cells, cold fluoroketone, and electricity to produce [[plasma]]. The plasma is fed into [[fusion generator]]s which produce electricity and [[fluoroketone (hot)]]. The hot fluoroketone must then be fed into a [[cryogenic plant]] to cool it back down, which can produce a self-sustaining loop. However, as the reactors require electricity (10 mW) to generate plasma, there must be some other power source already on the network to jump-start the system. After that, even a single fusion generator will create enough power to sustain the reactor.

	Because the fluids which produce the power cells and hot fluoroketone cannot be [[barrel\|barrelled]], production of them is confined to Aquilo. However, as the cold fluoroketone ''can'' be barreled, it and the power cells can be shipped to other planets with relative ease.		Because the fluids which produce the power cells and hot fluoroketone cannot be [[barrel\|barrelled]], production of them is confined to Aquilo. However, as the cold fluoroketone ''can'' be barreled, it and the power cells can be shipped to other planets with relative ease.

Synch at 18:12, 25 April 2025

2025-04-25T18:12:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:12, 25 April 2025
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	[[File:Nuclear setup.png\|thumb\|700px\|right\|Uranium processing for nuclear power.]]		[[File:Nuclear setup.png\|thumb\|700px\|right\|Uranium processing for nuclear power.]]
	:''See also: [[Tutorial:Nuclear power]]''		:''See also: [[Tutorial:Nuclear power]]''
	In general, nuclear power is produced by the following production chain: [[Uranium ore]] is mined and [[Uranium processing\|processed]] to [[uranium-235]] and [[uranium-238]], then [[uranium fuel cell]]s are created from the two. These fuel cells are then burned in a [[nuclear reactor]] to create heat. The heat ~~can be used to convert~~ [[~~water~~]] to [[~~steam~~]] ~~using a~~ [[~~heat exchanger~~]] ~~and the~~ steam ~~can be~~ consumed by [[steam turbine]]s to produce power.		In general, nuclear power is produced by the following production chain: [[Uranium ore]] is mined and [[Uranium processing\|processed]] to [[uranium-235]] and [[uranium-238]], then [[uranium fuel cell]]s are created from the two. These fuel cells are then burned in a [[nuclear reactor]] to create heat. The heat is transferred via [[heat pipe]]s to one or more [[heat exchanger]]s, which convert [[water]] to [[steam]] that is then consumed by [[steam turbine]]s to produce power.

	A reactor without neighbor bonus needs 4 heat exchangers so that all its heat gets consumed. For each 100% neighbor bonus, the reactor needs 4 more heat exchangers.		A reactor without neighbor bonus needs 4 heat exchangers so that all its heat gets consumed. For each 100% neighbor bonus, the reactor needs 4 more heat exchangers.

Dalestan: /* Lightning power{{SA}} */ Correct the drain mechanics of lightning attractors; "base" quality -> "normal" quality

2025-01-22T16:11:12Z

Lightning power{{SA}}: Correct the drain mechanics of lightning attractors; "base" quality -> "normal" quality

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 22 January 2025
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	A single lightning bolt contains 1 GJ of energy. Rods and collectors can collect some portion of this energy and supply it to their connected grid.		A single lightning bolt contains 1 GJ of energy. Rods and collectors can collect some portion of this energy and supply it to their connected grid.

	A rod/collector has an energy capacity as well as an efficiency value (the latter varies by [[quality]]). The efficiency value determines the percentage of the 1 GJ of energy contained in the bolt which will be stored by the rod/collector. If the energy absorbed from lightning exceeds the ~~stored~~ capacity of the rod, the excess is lost.		A rod/collector has an energy capacity as well as an efficiency value (the latter varies by [[quality]]). The efficiency value determines the percentage of the 1 GJ of energy contained in the bolt which will be stored by the rod/collector. If the energy absorbed from lightning exceeds the storage capacity of the rod, the excess is lost.

	A ~~base~~ quality rod has ~~a capacity of~~ 20% efficiency, so a single bolt will charge the collector by 20% of 1,000 MJ, or 200 MJ. A ~~base~~ quality collector, with an efficiency of 40%, will store 400 MJ.		A normal quality rod has 20% efficiency, so a single bolt will charge the collector by 20% of 1,000 MJ, or 200 MJ. A normal quality collector, with an efficiency of 40%, will store 400 MJ.

	Rods/collectors have a discharge rate of 150 MW. When they have stored energy, they will ~~discharge 150 MJ~~ of ~~their stored energy per second into~~ the [[Electric system]] ~~it is attached to~~. This will provide power to any buildings in the same electrical system as the rod/collector, including [[accumulator]]s. ~~However~~, ~~if the local electrical network cannot consume all~~ 150 ~~MW of power output~~, ~~it will still~~ be ~~drained from the stored capacity~~. So lightning power is a "use it or lose it" arrangement.		Rods/collectors have a discharge rate of 150 MW. When they have stored energy, they will supply all the demands of the attached [[Electric system]]. This will provide power to any buildings in the same electrical system as the rod/collector, including [[accumulator]]s. In addition, 150 MJ per second (2.5 MJ/tick) will be lost, unable to be used for anything. So lightning power is a "use it or lose it" arrangement.

	A ~~base~~ quality lightning rod struck by a single bolt will only generate ~~150 MW of~~ power for 1.33 seconds. A ~~base~~ quality lightning collector will generate ~~150 MW~~ for 2.67 seconds. The principle advantages of collectors is the larger range for lightning strikes and their longer discharge times.		A normal quality lightning rod struck by a single bolt will only generate power for a maximum of 1.33 seconds. A normal quality lightning collector will generate power for a maximum of 2.67 seconds. The principle advantages of collectors is the larger range for lightning strikes and their longer discharge times.

	The key to taking advantage of this is to use accumulators. But because accumulators have a ~~relatively~~ low charge speed compared to ~~their capacity~~ (0.3 MW vs. ~~5MJ, at base quality~~), storing the ~~full~~ energy from a single bolt of lightning ~~requires more accumulators than just the total accumulator's energy storage capacity~~. For a single lightning rod struck by a single bolt of lightning, ~~it requires~~ 500 accumulators to store ~~all 200~~ MJ ~~of energy collected~~. ~~However~~, ~~those 500~~ accumulators ~~can~~ store 2.5 ~~GJ of~~ energy, the ~~equivalent of~~ 12~~.5 lightning bolts from lightning rods~~.		The key to taking advantage of this is to use accumulators. But because accumulators have a low charge speed compared to the rod/collectors' drains (0.3 MW at normal quality vs. 150MW), storing a significant fraction of the energy from a single bolt of lightning is not generally feasible. For a single lightning rod struck by a single bolt of lightning, 125 normal accumulators will draw 37.5 MW for just over 1 second, storing 40 MJ of the 200 MJ captured by the rod. The other 160 MJ are lost to the rod’s internal drain. 500 accumulators will store 100 MJ in 0.67 seconds, and 1,000 accumulators store 135 MJ in just under 0.5 seconds. To capture all the energy available in a lightning strike, the network must be able to absorb all the energy in a single tick: 12 GW for a normal rod, up to 60 GW for a legendary collector.

	~~To store the 400 MJ of energy from a lightning collector, you need the same number of accumulators. The difference is that they store the equivalent of half the number of lightning bolts: 6.12.~~		Do note that 500 normal quality accumulators cannot fit in the area protected by a ''single'' lightning collector, let alone the smaller area of a lightning rod.

	Do note that 500 ~~base~~ quality accumulators cannot fit in the area protected by a ''single'' lightning collector, let alone the smaller area of a lightning rod.

	== Fusion power{{SA}} ==		== Fusion power{{SA}} ==

Bilka: /* Steam engine power */ grammar

2025-01-21T16:26:47Z

Steam engine power: grammar

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:26, 21 January 2025
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	Each [[steam engine]] needs 0.5 [[boiler]]s when running at full capacity. One [[offshore pump]] can supply 200 boilers and 400 steam engines.		Each [[steam engine]] needs 0.5 [[boiler]]s when running at full capacity. One [[offshore pump]] can supply 200 boilers and 400 steam engines.

	The above ratio can be calculated from information available in-game: One boiler consumes 1.8MW of fuel and produces energy stored in [[steam]] at 100% efficiency. One steam engine consumes 900kW (0.9MW) of energy stored in steam, so each boiler can supply 2 steam engines: <math>\frac{1.8}{0.9} = 2</math>. One boiler ~~consume~~ 6 ~~unit~~ of [[water]] to produce 60 ~~unit~~ of [[steam]] per second, one steam engine ~~consume~~ 30 steam per second (3 units of water) and one offshore pump produces 1200 water per second, so each offshore pump produces enough water to supply 200 boilers: <math>\frac{1200}{6} = 200</math>. Two steam engines per boiler ~~give~~ us 400. This produces the 1:200:400 ratio.		The above ratio can be calculated from information available in-game: One boiler consumes 1.8MW of fuel and produces energy stored in [[steam]] at 100% efficiency. One steam engine consumes 900kW (0.9MW) of energy stored in steam, so each boiler can supply 2 steam engines: <math>\frac{1.8}{0.9} = 2</math>. One boiler consumes 6 units of [[water]] to produce 60 units of [[steam]] per second, one steam engine consumes 30 steam per second (3 units of water) and one offshore pump produces 1200 water per second, so each offshore pump produces enough water to supply 200 boilers: <math>\frac{1200}{6} = 200</math>. Two steam engines per boiler gives us 400. This produces the 1:200:400 ratio.

	[[File:SteamSetupExample.png\|center\|600px\|thumb\|A possible setup.]]		[[File:SteamSetupExample.png\|center\|600px\|thumb\|A possible setup.]]

Bilka: /* Nuclear power */ removed 1.1 ratio

2025-01-21T16:26:24Z

Nuclear power: removed 1.1 ratio

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:26, 21 January 2025
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	\| 2 \|\| 1 \|\|{{imagelink\|Offshore pump}}		\| 2 \|\| 1 \|\|{{imagelink\|Offshore pump}}
	\|-		\|-
	\| 233 \|\| 116~~(12)~~ \|\| {{imagelink\|Heat exchanger}}		\| 233 \|\| 116 \|\| {{imagelink\|Heat exchanger}}
	\|-		\|-
	\| 400 \|\| 200~~(20)~~ \|\| {{imagelink\|Steam turbine}}		\| 400 \|\| 200 \|\| {{imagelink\|Steam turbine}}
	\|}		\|}

Alfonse: /* Heating tower {{SA}} */ Heating towers are more pollution efficient er unit power generated.

2024-12-20T05:57:42Z

Heating tower {{SA}}: Heating towers are more pollution efficient er unit power generated.

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:57, 20 December 2024
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	Like reactors, they have a maximum temperature of 1000 C. And also like reactors, they will continue to burn fuel even after they reach their maximum temperature. This gives them a secondary use as a quick way to dispose of unwanted burnable materials, such as excess fruit products/[[spoilage]] on Gleba or excess solid fuel on [[Fulgora]].		Like reactors, they have a maximum temperature of 1000 C. And also like reactors, they will continue to burn fuel even after they reach their maximum temperature. This gives them a secondary use as a quick way to dispose of unwanted burnable materials, such as excess fruit products/[[spoilage]] on Gleba or excess solid fuel on [[Fulgora]].

	Note that heating towers produce ~~more~~ pollution per MW of power produced than boilers, ~~even for the same energy output. This only matters for [[Nauvis]]; using~~ heating towers ~~for power, or even [[biter egg]] disposal, can draw [[Enemies]] to your base~~.		Note that heating towers produce less pollution per MW of power produced than boilers. Boilers produce 3.6MW of power per pollution generated, while heating towers produce 24 MW per pollution.

	== Lightning power{{SA}} ==		== Lightning power{{SA}} ==

RogerRoger: /* Ratio calculations */

2024-12-09T12:32:34Z

Ratio calculations

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:32, 9 December 2024
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	=== Ratio calculations ===		=== Ratio calculations ===

	Fusion reactors produce plasma at a base temperature of <math>1,M^\circ \text{C}</math>. Each directly connected reactor adds an additional <math>1,M^\circ \text{C}</math> to the maximum achievable plasma temperature. The actual plasma temperature depends on the neighbor bonuses, which are determined by the arrangement of reactors and their current plasma production rate. For example, if a reactor produces plasma at its maximum rate, all reactors connected to this reactor receive a 100% neighbor bonus. The temperature used by generators is the average plasma temperature of all reactors in the setup.		Fusion reactors produce plasma at a base temperature of <math>1.0\,M^\circ \text{C}</math>. Each directly connected reactor adds an additional <math>1.0\,M^\circ \text{C}</math> to the maximum achievable plasma temperature. The actual plasma temperature depends on the neighbor bonuses, which are determined by the arrangement of reactors and their current plasma production rate. For example, if a reactor produces plasma at its maximum rate, all reactors connected to this reactor receive a 100% neighbor bonus. The temperature used by generators is the average plasma temperature of all reactors in the setup.