Difference between revisions of "Power"

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{{Rewrite|reason=Does not cover the mechanics of power sufficiently, also in need of cleanup and standardisation}}
 
 
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{{TOCright}}
'''Power''' is electrical energy that powers the operation of certain appliances, including workbenches, lights, temperature control devices, automated defenses, and more. Access to power is crucial to survival, especially in late game. The success of a colony often relies upon a fault-tolerant power grid with a reliable power flow that ensures that your appliances are working at all times, especially in emergencies.
+
'''Power''' is both the representation of [[Research#Electricity|electricity]] required to power a wide variety of appliances and buildings, and the name of a section of the architect that contains buildings that interact with this system.
== Power generators ==
 
=== Chemfuel powered generator ===
 
[[File:Chemfuel_powered_generator.png|64px|left|link=Chemfuel powered generator]]{{#show: Chemfuel powered generator |?note}}
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
 
=== Wood-fired generator ===
 
[[File:fueledgenerator.png|64px|left|link=Wood-fired generator]] The [[wood-fired generator]] is identical to the chemfuel generator, except that it is fueled by wood and is slightly cheaper to construct. Requires no research for New Arrivals. Unlocked by researching [[Research#Electricity|Electricity]] for Tribal starts.
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
 
=== Geothermal generator ===
 
[[File:GeothermalPlant.png|64px|left|link=Geothermal generator]]{{#show: Geothermal generator | ?note}}  Requires researching [[Research#Geothermal power|Geothermal power]]
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
 
=== Solar generator ===
 
[[File:Solar generator.png|64px|left|link=Solar generator]]{{#show: Solar generator | ?note }} Unlocked by researching [[Research#Solar power|Solar power]].
 
{{clear|left}}
 
  
=== Wind turbine ===
+
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
[[File:Wind Power.png|64px|left|link=Wind turbine]]{{#show: Wind turbine | ?note }} Requires no research for New Arrivals. Unlocked by researching [[Research#Electricity|Electricity]] for Tribal starts.
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
 
=== Watermill generator ===
 
[[File:watermill_generator.png|64px|left|link=Watermill generator]] A [[watermill generator]] provides power from a moving river, providing a constant 1100W of power. It is relatively cheap and requires no upkeep, but is also fairly large and cannot be placed too closely to another without degrading performance. Requires research.
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
 
=== Ship reactor ===
 
[[File:ShipReactor.png|64px|left|link=Ship reactor]] Although it is a ship part and not listed in the ''Power'' menu, the [[ship reactor]] is perfectly usable as a power generator.  It provides 1000W of power, with no need for fuel or other maintenance; it does not generate any heat.  It is normally only built as part of the space ship to win the game, and must be powered up to become operational for the ship, which triggers a 15-day long enemy invasion event.  Requires research.
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
 
=== Vanometric power cell ===
 
[[File:Vanometric power cell.png|32px|left|link=Vanometric power cell]] Similar to the ship reactor, the [[vanometric power cell]] provides a consistent 1000W of power at all times with no upkeep or restrictions. It has a small 1x2 footprint and can be moved freely. The catch is that these power cells are very rare; they cannot be manufactured or purchased, only received as a quest reward. With their comparatively low output, there is no reliable way to acquire enough to satisfy more than a small fraction of a normal colony's power budget, but they are a convenient way of powering high-priority or off-grid equipment.
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
 
=== Unstable power cell ===
 
{{Royalty|no category}}
 
[[File:Unstablepc.png|32px|left|link=Unstable power cell]] Effectively a smaller, less powerful and significantly more explosive vanometric power cell from the [[Royalty DLC]]. It can only be captured from [[Mechanoid cluster]]s. It provides 400W with no need for fuel, in 1x1 footprint that can be moved around freely. While more common than the vanometric power cell, its fragility and explosive tendencies can make it hard to capture from clusters and care must be taken to shield it from damage when in use. It also only produces a relatively small amount of power, so like the vanometric power cell, it is most useful for off-grid or high priority items rather than supplementing the main power grid.
 
 
 
=== Power generator summary ===
 
{| {{STDT| sortable c_01 text-center}}}}
 
! Type !! Cost !! Size !! Base Output<br>(Watts) !! Variable<br>Output !! Day !! Night !! Placement
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Solar generator]]      || {{Required Resources|Solar generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Q|Solar generator|Size}} || {{Q|Solar generator|Power Consumption}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || {{Cross}} || In sunlight
+
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Power conduit|80px}}
|-
+
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Hidden conduit|80px}}
| [[Wind turbine]]        || {{Required Resources|Wind turbine|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Q|Wind turbine|Size}} || {{Q|Wind turbine|Power Consumption}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || In open ground
+
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Waterproof conduit|80px}}
|-
+
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Power switch|80px}}
| [[Watermill generator]]  || {{Required Resources|Watermill generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Q|Watermill generator|Size}} || {{Q|Watermill generator|Power Consumption}} || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || On riverbanks
+
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Wood-fired generator|80px}}
|-
+
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Chemfuel powered generator|80px}}
| [[Chemfuel powered generator]]   || {{Required Resources|Chemfuel powered generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Q|Chemfuel powered generator|Size}} || {{Q|Chemfuel powered generator|Power Consumption}} || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere
+
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Wind turbine|80px}}
|-
+
|- align="center"
| [[Wood-fired generator]] || {{Required Resources|Wood-fired generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Q|Wood-fired generator|Size}} || {{Q|Wood-fired generator|Power Consumption}} || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere
+
| <div><small>[[Power conduit]]</small></div>
|-
+
| <div><small>[[Hidden conduit]]</small></div>
| [[Geothermal generator]] || {{Required Resources|Geothermal generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Q|Geothermal generator|Size}} || {{Q|Geothermal generator|Power Consumption}} || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || On [[geyser]]s
+
| <div><small>[[Waterproof conduit]]</small></div>
|-
+
| <div><small>[[Power switch]]</small></div>
| [[Ship reactor]]         || {{Required Resources|Ship reactor|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Q|Ship reactor|Size}} || {{Q|Ship reactor|Power Consumption}} || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Outside<br />''(can roof over afterwards)''
+
| <div><small>[[Wood-fired generator]]</small></div>
|-
+
| <div><small>[[Chemfuel powered generator]]</small></div>
| [[Vanometric power cell]]|| ''N/A'' || {{Q|Vanometric power cell|Size}} || {{Q|Vanometric power cell|Power Consumption}} || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere
+
| <div><small>[[Wind turbine]]</small></div>
|-
 
| [[Unstable power cell]]{{RoyaltyIcon}} || ''N/A'' || {{Q|Unstable power cell|Size}} || {{Q|Unstable power cell|Power Consumption}} || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere
 
 
|-
 
|-
 +
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Battery|80px}}
 +
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Solar generator|80px}}
 +
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Geothermal generator|80px}}
 +
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Watermill generator|80px}}
 +
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Toxifier generator|80px}}
 +
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Electroharvester|80px}}
 +
| width=100px height=50px | {{Icon small|Bioferrite generator|80px}}
 +
|- align="center"
 +
| <div><small>[[Battery]]</small></div>
 +
| <div><small>[[Solar generator]]</small></div>
 +
| <div><small>[[Geothermal generator]]</small></div>
 +
| <div><small>[[Watermill generator]]</small></div>
 +
| <div><small>[[Toxifier generator]]</small>{{BiotechIcon}}</div>
 +
| <div><small>[[Electroharvester]]</small>{{AnomalyIcon}}</div>
 +
| <div><small>[[Bioferrite generator]]</small>{{AnomalyIcon}}</div>
 
|}
 
|}
  
== Power transfers ==
+
== Mechanics ==
=== Power conduit ===
+
{{Stub|section=1|reason=Does not cover the mechanics of power sufficiently - how is the order of power loss determined when demand>supply? When do power generators tick? When does battery capacity tick? etc. }}
[[File:PowerConduit_MenuIcon.png|36px|left|link=Power conduit]]{{#show: Power conduit | ?note}}
+
Power is measured in the form of '''Watts (W)'''. Power generators create watts, and appliances will consume a certain amount of watts to function. Most appliances will use power even when not actively being used - they must be manually switched off. Some appliances use less power when not in active use, sometimes referred to as "stand-by" power.
  
=== Waterproof conduit ===
+
Power conduits can randomly [[Events#Zzztt...|short circuit]] whenever they are powered, and many power buildings or appliances can also short circuit while in [[rain]] or [[snow]]. See [[Events#Zzztt...|Zzztt...]] for details.
[[File:Power conduit.png|36px|left|link=Waterproof conduit]]{{#show: Waterproof conduit | ?note}}
 
''(note: the image for the waterproof conduit is actually an image of the power conduit, RimWorld Wiki is currently lacking an image for the conduit. The conduit is actually tinted blue.)''
 
  
=== Power switch ===
+
=== Transport ===
[[File:PowerSwitch.png|32px|left|link=Power switch]]{{#show: Power_switch | ?note }}
+
Power only exists within a power grid and requires something to transport it. Any power that isn't used or stored is wasted.  
  
== Power storage ==
+
Power travels through [[power conduit]]s, [[waterproof conduit]]s,  [[power switch]]es, [[batteries]], and all generators and generator equivalents. These power transporters must be directly adjacent to each other to connect and transport power between them. This is distinct from appliances, which do not transport power, but can connect to a power transport from up to 6 tiles away. See [[#Appliances|Appliances]] for more detail.
=== Batteries ===
 
[[File:Battery.jpg|80px|left|link=Battery]]{{#show: Battery | ?note }}
 
  
== Appliances ==
+
Configurations of connected power transporters are called grids. All points in a grid have instantaneous access to all power generated and stored by buildings attached to the grid. Grids that are not connected by power transporters, or only connected via a power switch that is turned off, are completely independent from each other.
{{stub|section=1}}
+
 
 +
=== Storage ===
 +
{{Main|Battery}}
 +
Power is stored in the form of '''Watt-days (Wd)''', where 1 Watt-day can power a 1 W appliance for 24 hours. Each [[battery]] can store up to 600 Wd, but only store at 50% efficiency. This means that, for the purposes of ''storage'', 1 W for 24 hours would only give 0.5 Wd inside a battery. Batteries lose 5 Wd of stored power per day, even if they aren't connected to anything or are uninstalled in their minified state. The stored power is drawn from if, and only if, the current load wattage on the grid exceeds the current generation wattage. Power can be stored and drawn from at any rate - the 500 Wd generated by 1000 W power generator over the course of a day and stored in 50%-efficient batteries can be consumed in 6 hours if the connected grid is 2000W below demand or last for days if demand only exceeds supply by a few watts.
 +
 
 +
=== Appliances ===
 
{{image wanted|section=1|reason=Image of the "power cord" connecting a constructed appliance to a conduit, image of the "yellow wire" showing a prospective connection point when placing a blueprint, image of the "pink wire" showing the actual connection points once built}}
 
{{image wanted|section=1|reason=Image of the "power cord" connecting a constructed appliance to a conduit, image of the "yellow wire" showing a prospective connection point when placing a blueprint, image of the "pink wire" showing the actual connection points once built}}
Appliances are [[structure]]s or buildings that require power but don't transmit it. Most appliances can connect automatically if placed up to six squares away from a conduit, generator or battery.
+
{{hatnote|For a list of all buildings that consume power, see {{#ask: [[Power Consumption::<0]] | ?Power Consumption | sort=Power Consumption | limit = 0| searchlabel = here}} }}
  
When placing an appliance's blueprint, the most direct connection point to a power transmitting structure will be displayed as a golden yellow connection between the current blueprint position and the power. Note that it will display a connection even if the grid it attaches too does not sufficient or any power, and that while an appliance will default to that connection point it will be able to connect to other sources with range using the reconnect gizmo mentioned below. If no yellow wire is shown, there is no connection point in range.  
+
Appliances are [[structure]]s or buildings that consume power but don't transmit it. Most appliances will connect automatically if placed up to six squares away from a power transporter, or when one is placed within range.
 +
 
 +
When placing an appliance's blueprint, the most direct connection point to a power transmitting structure will be displayed as a golden yellow connection between the current blueprint position and the power. Note that it will display a connection even if the grid it attaches too does not have sufficient or any power, and that while an appliance will default to that connection point it will be able to connect to other sources with range using the reconnect gizmo mentioned below. If no yellow wire is shown, there is no connection point in range.  
  
 
Once constructed, this connection will be displayed by a black "power cord" that runs from the connecting power transmitting building to the appliance in question. This cord is graphical only and cannot be interacted with or damaged in any way. Additionally, when viewing the power grid, a magenta wire similar to the yellow above will display the connection point of appliances in view.  
 
Once constructed, this connection will be displayed by a black "power cord" that runs from the connecting power transmitting building to the appliance in question. This cord is graphical only and cannot be interacted with or damaged in any way. Additionally, when viewing the power grid, a magenta wire similar to the yellow above will display the connection point of appliances in view.  
Line 97: Line 74:
 
When connected to the power grid, it can take a few moments before an appliance turns on.
 
When connected to the power grid, it can take a few moments before an appliance turns on.
  
=== Managing appliances ===
+
Selecting any power transporter or appliance attached to a grid will display the "Grid Excess/Stored" values in the info pane. If the demand for power exceeds the current supply and cannot be made up for by consuming stored power, appliances connected to the grid lose power until the supply is once again below demand. It is currently unknown how which appliance is disabled is selected - it may be random.
 +
 
 +
==== Managing appliances ====
 
'''Reconnect''': Click to force an appliance to reconnect to a conduit line or power source. This can also be used to change which power source an appliance is connected to if there is more than one in range.<br/>
 
'''Reconnect''': Click to force an appliance to reconnect to a conduit line or power source. This can also be used to change which power source an appliance is connected to if there is more than one in range.<br/>
 
'''Designate toggle power''': Click to mark an appliance to be turned on (<span style="color:#20D720;font-weight:bold">&#10004;</span>) or off (<span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">X</span>) by a colonist set to [[Work#Basic|Basic]].
 
'''Designate toggle power''': Click to mark an appliance to be turned on (<span style="color:#20D720;font-weight:bold">&#10004;</span>) or off (<span style="color:red;font-weight:bold">X</span>) by a colonist set to [[Work#Basic|Basic]].
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| colspan="2"|<div><small>Designate toggle power</small></div>
 
| colspan="2"|<div><small>Designate toggle power</small></div>
 
|}
 
|}
{{clear}}
+
{{Clear}}
=== Appliances summary ===
+
 
<!--{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" class="article-table" style="width: 100%;"
+
=== Mechanoid power ===
| style = "align-left;" |+Power transfers summary WHAT!
+
{{Biotech|section=1}}
|-
+
{{Main|Mechanoid creation#Power|l1=Mechanoid creation}}
-->
+
Enemy [[mechanoid]]s - that is, all mechanoids without any DLC - do not require any source of power. However, your [[allied mechanoid]]s do. When controlled by a colony, an active mechanoid's power need falls by 10% per day. Non-working mechs lose 3% power per day. They can enter a dormant self-charging state, which instead restores 1% power per day for free. Mechanoids in a [[caravan]] do not consume or gain any power.
  
 +
A mechanoid's power need does not directly translate to electrical power. However, [[mech recharger]]s require a constant 200 W, [[large mech recharger]]s require 400 W, and both chargers restore 50% of any mechanoid's power per day. When recharging, mechanoids create [[Toxic wastepack]]s, which can lead to [[pollution]].
  
{| {{STDT| sortable c_01 |border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" class="article-table" style="width: 100%;"}}
+
== Power generators ==
|-
+
{| {{STDT| sortable c_01 text-center}}}}
! Appliance
+
! Type !! Cost !! Fuel<br>(per day) !! Size !! Base Output<br>(Watts) !! Output<br>Per<br>Tile !!Variable<br>Output !! Day !! Night !! Placement !! Market Value
!Power<br />consumption (in Watts)
 
|-
 
| [[Autodoor]] || 50
 
|-
 
| [[Electric tailor bench|Electric tailor bench]] || 120
 
|-
 
| [[Electric smithy]] || 210
 
|-
 
| [[Machining table]] || 350
 
|-
 
| [[Electric smelter]] || 700
 
|-
 
| [[Electric crematorium]] || 250
 
|-
 
| [[Hi-tech research bench]] || 250
 
|-
 
| [[Multi-analyzer]] || 200
 
|-
 
| [[Fabrication bench]] || 250
 
|-
 
| [[Nutrient paste dispenser]] || 200
 
|-
 
| [[Standing lamp]] || 75
 
|-
 
| [[Sun lamp]] || 2900 during day only
 
|-
 
| [[Hydroponics basin]] || 70
 
|-
 
| [[Biofuel refinery]] || 170
 
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Infinite chemreactor]] || 300
+
| [[Solar generator]]     || {{Required Resources|Solar generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Cross}} ||  {{Q|Solar generator|Size}} || {{Q|Solar generator|Power Consumption}} || 106.25 || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || {{Cross}} || In sunlight || {{Q|Solar generator|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Vitals monitor]] || 80
+
| [[Wind turbine]]         || {{Required Resources|Wind turbine|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Wind turbine|Size}} || {{Q|Wind turbine|Power Consumption}} || 164.29 ||{{Check}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || In open ground || {{Q|Wind turbine|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Comms console]] || 200
+
| [[Watermill generator]] || {{Required Resources|Watermill generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Watermill generator|Size}} || {{Q|Watermill generator|Power Consumption}} || 36.6 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || On riverbanks || {{Q|Watermill generator|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Ground-penetrating scanner]] || 700
+
| [[Chemfuel powered generator]]   || {{Required Resources|Chemfuel powered generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Icon Small|Chemfuel||4.5}} || {{Q|Chemfuel powered generator|Size}} || {{Q|Chemfuel powered generator|Power Consumption}} || 250 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere || {{Q|Chemfuel powered generator|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Long-range mineral scanner]] || 700
+
| [[Wood-fired generator]] || {{Required Resources|Wood-fired generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Icon Small|Wood||22}} || {{Q|Wood-fired generator|Size}} || {{Q|Wood-fired generator|Power Consumption}} || 250 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere || {{Q|Wood-fired generator|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Electric stove]] || 350
+
| [[Geothermal generator]] || {{Required Resources|Geothermal generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Geothermal generator|Size}} || {{Q|Geothermal generator|Power Consumption}} || 100 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || On [[geyser]]s || {{Q|Geothermal generator|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Heater]] || 175
+
| [[Ship reactor]]         || {{Required Resources|Ship reactor|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Ship reactor|Size}} || {{Q|Ship reactor|Power Consumption}} || 23.8 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Outside<br />''(can roof over afterwards)'' || {{Q|Ship reactor|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Cooler]] || 200
+
| [[Vanometric power cell]]|| ''N/A'' || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Vanometric power cell|Size}} || {{Q|Vanometric power cell|Power Consumption}} || 500 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere || {{Q|Vanometric power cell|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Mini-turret]] || 80
+
| [[Unstable power cell]]{{RoyaltyIcon}} || ''N/A'' || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Unstable power cell|Size}} || {{Q|Unstable power cell|Power Consumption}} || 400 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere || {{Q|Unstable power cell|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Tube television]] || 200
+
| [[Toxifier generator]]{{BiotechIcon}}  || {{Required Resources|Toxifier generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Toxifier generator|Size}} || {{Q|Toxifier generator|Power Consumption}} || 350 || {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere || {{Q|Toxifier generator|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Flatscreen television]] || 330
+
| [[Electroharvester]]{{AnomalyIcon}} || {{Required Resources|Electroharvester|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Cross}} || {{Q|Electroharvester|Size}} || Varies || Varies || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere || {{Q|Electroharvester|Market Value Base #}}
 
|-
 
|-
| [[Megascreen television]] || 450
+
| [[Bioferrite generator]]{{AnomalyIcon}}  || {{Required Resources|Bioferrite generator|sep=<nowiki> </nowiki>+|simple=1}} || {{Icon Small|Bioferrite||6}} || {{Q|Bioferrite generator|Size}} || {{Q|Bioferrite generator|Power Consumption}} || 666.7|| {{Cross}} || {{Check}} || {{Check}} || Anywhere || {{Q|Bioferrite generator|Market Value Base #}}
 
|}
 
|}
  

Latest revision as of 00:55, 3 October 2024

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Power is both the representation of electricity required to power a wide variety of appliances and buildings, and the name of a section of the architect that contains buildings that interact with this system.

Power conduit Hidden conduit Waterproof conduit Power switch Wood-fired generator Chemfuel powered generator Wind turbine
Battery Solar generator Geothermal generator Watermill generator Toxifier generator Electroharvester Bioferrite generator

Mechanics[edit]

Power is measured in the form of Watts (W). Power generators create watts, and appliances will consume a certain amount of watts to function. Most appliances will use power even when not actively being used - they must be manually switched off. Some appliances use less power when not in active use, sometimes referred to as "stand-by" power.

Power conduits can randomly short circuit whenever they are powered, and many power buildings or appliances can also short circuit while in rain or snow. See Zzztt... for details.

Transport[edit]

Power only exists within a power grid and requires something to transport it. Any power that isn't used or stored is wasted.

Power travels through power conduits, waterproof conduits, power switches, batteries, and all generators and generator equivalents. These power transporters must be directly adjacent to each other to connect and transport power between them. This is distinct from appliances, which do not transport power, but can connect to a power transport from up to 6 tiles away. See Appliances for more detail.

Configurations of connected power transporters are called grids. All points in a grid have instantaneous access to all power generated and stored by buildings attached to the grid. Grids that are not connected by power transporters, or only connected via a power switch that is turned off, are completely independent from each other.

Storage[edit]

Power is stored in the form of Watt-days (Wd), where 1 Watt-day can power a 1 W appliance for 24 hours. Each battery can store up to 600 Wd, but only store at 50% efficiency. This means that, for the purposes of storage, 1 W for 24 hours would only give 0.5 Wd inside a battery. Batteries lose 5 Wd of stored power per day, even if they aren't connected to anything or are uninstalled in their minified state. The stored power is drawn from if, and only if, the current load wattage on the grid exceeds the current generation wattage. Power can be stored and drawn from at any rate - the 500 Wd generated by 1000 W power generator over the course of a day and stored in 50%-efficient batteries can be consumed in 6 hours if the connected grid is 2000W below demand or last for days if demand only exceeds supply by a few watts.

Appliances[edit]

Appliances are structures or buildings that consume power but don't transmit it. Most appliances will connect automatically if placed up to six squares away from a power transporter, or when one is placed within range.

When placing an appliance's blueprint, the most direct connection point to a power transmitting structure will be displayed as a golden yellow connection between the current blueprint position and the power. Note that it will display a connection even if the grid it attaches too does not have sufficient or any power, and that while an appliance will default to that connection point it will be able to connect to other sources with range using the reconnect gizmo mentioned below. If no yellow wire is shown, there is no connection point in range.

Once constructed, this connection will be displayed by a black "power cord" that runs from the connecting power transmitting building to the appliance in question. This cord is graphical only and cannot be interacted with or damaged in any way. Additionally, when viewing the power grid, a magenta wire similar to the yellow above will display the connection point of appliances in view.

When connected to the power grid, it can take a few moments before an appliance turns on.

Selecting any power transporter or appliance attached to a grid will display the "Grid Excess/Stored" values in the info pane. If the demand for power exceeds the current supply and cannot be made up for by consuming stored power, appliances connected to the grid lose power until the supply is once again below demand. It is currently unknown how which appliance is disabled is selected - it may be random.

Managing appliances[edit]

Reconnect: Click to force an appliance to reconnect to a conduit line or power source. This can also be used to change which power source an appliance is connected to if there is more than one in range.
Designate toggle power: Click to mark an appliance to be turned on () or off (X) by a colonist set to Basic.

Reconnect
Reconnect
Toggle ON Toggle OFF
Designate toggle power

Mechanoid power[edit]

Enemy mechanoids - that is, all mechanoids without any DLC - do not require any source of power. However, your allied mechanoids do. When controlled by a colony, an active mechanoid's power need falls by 10% per day. Non-working mechs lose 3% power per day. They can enter a dormant self-charging state, which instead restores 1% power per day for free. Mechanoids in a caravan do not consume or gain any power.

A mechanoid's power need does not directly translate to electrical power. However, mech rechargers require a constant 200 W, large mech rechargers require 400 W, and both chargers restore 50% of any mechanoid's power per day. When recharging, mechanoids create Toxic wastepacks, which can lead to pollution.

Power generators[edit]

Type Cost Fuel
(per day)
Size Base Output
(Watts)
Output
Per
Tile
Variable
Output
Day Night Placement Market Value
Solar generator Steel 100 + Component 3 Ex.png 4 × 4 1,700 106.25 Check.png Check.png Ex.png In sunlight 295
Wind turbine Steel 100 + Component 2 Ex.png 7 × 2 2,300 164.29 Check.png Check.png Check.png In open ground 265
Watermill generator Wood 280 + Steel 80 + Component 3 Ex.png 5 × 6 1,100 36.6 Ex.png Check.png Check.png On riverbanks 600
Chemfuel powered generator Steel 100 + Component 3 Chemfuel 4.5 2 × 2 1,000 250 Ex.png Check.png Check.png Anywhere 295
Wood-fired generator Steel 100 + Component 2 Wood 22 2 × 2 1,000 250 Ex.png Check.png Check.png Anywhere 265
Geothermal generator Steel 340 + Component 8 Ex.png 6 × 6 3,600 100 Ex.png Check.png Check.png On geysers 945
Ship reactor Steel 350 + Plasteel 280 + Uranium 70 + Advanced component 8 Ex.png 6 × 7 1,000 23.8 Ex.png Check.png Check.png Outside
(can roof over afterwards)
5440
Vanometric power cell N/A Ex.png 1 × 2 1,000 500 Ex.png Check.png Check.png Anywhere 1200
Unstable power cellContent added by the Royalty DLC N/A Ex.png 1 × 1 400 400 Ex.png Check.png Check.png Anywhere 400
Toxifier generatorContent added by the Biotech DLC Steel 125 + Component 3 Ex.png 2 × 2 1,400 350 Ex.png Check.png Check.png Anywhere 360
ElectroharvesterContent added by the Anomaly DLC Component 1 + Bioferrite 25 + Steel 50 Ex.png 2 × 1 Varies Varies Check.png Check.png Check.png Anywhere 160
Bioferrite generatorContent added by the Anomaly DLC Steel 50 + Bioferrite 100 + Component 4 + Shard 1 Bioferrite 6 3 × 2 4,000 666.7 Ex.png Check.png Check.png Anywhere 740

Version history[edit]

  • 0.0.245 - Electrical devices now short-circuit and cause fires if left out in the rain while running.