Difference between revisions of "Geothermal generator"

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<onlyinclude>{{infobox main|building|
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{{Infobox main|building
|name = Geothermal generator
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| name = Geothermal generator
|image = GeothermalPlant.png|160px{{!}}Geothermal generator
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| image = Geothermal plant.png
|description = Produces electricity from geothermal steam geysers. Must be placed on a geyser.
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| imagesize = 160px
|type = Buildings{{!}}Buildings
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| description = Produces electricity from geothermal steam geysers. Must be placed on a steam geyser.
|type2 = Power{{!}}Power
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| type = Building
|placeable = y
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| type2 = Power
|size = 6|6
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| placeable = true
|hp = 500
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| passability = impassable
|power = + 3600  
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| blockswind = true
|buy = {{icon|metal|400}} {{icon|component|8}}
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| cover = 1
}}</onlyinclude>
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| minifiable = false
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| size = 6 ˣ 6
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| flammability = 0.5
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| hp = 500
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| beauty = -30
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| power = 3600
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| terrain affordance = heavy
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| research = geothermal power
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| skill 1 = Construction
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| skill 1 level = 8
 +
| work to make = 12000
 +
| resource 1 = Steel
 +
| resource 1 amount = 340
 +
| resource 2 = Component
 +
| resource 2 amount = 8
 +
}}
 +
{{Info|The '''geothermal generator''' is a [[power]] generator that can be built on top of a [[steam geyser]] to convert natural heat into electrical power, providing a constant {{P|Power Consumption}}W. Steam geysers are randomly generated per map, sometimes close to each other, others scattered towards the edges or center. Colonies are often seen built in their proximity from early days for future benefit.}}
  
{{Info|A [[geothermal generator]] is a structure that can only be built on a geyser and converts the thermal energy into electrical power. It provides a contant 3600W but it is more expensive to build than the other power generators and is limited by the location and number of geothermal geysers. The geothermal generator is available once it is [[Research|researched]]. It is the only power generator that requires research.}}<p>
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== Acquisition ==
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{{Acquisition}}
  
The placement requirement of the geothermal generator often means it's located far from the safety of the core base, or necessitates a base relocation to a zone harder to defend against [[raiders]]. It can be protected against raiders by sealing it off with two layers of stone walls.</p>
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== Summary ==
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Geothermal generators are power generators that can only be built atop a [[steam geyser]], and once constructed produce a constant supply of {{P|Power Consumption}}W. This power supply is infinite, invariable, and unaffected by [[weather]]. Like all power systems however, is still susceptible to [[solar flare]]s and similar effects.  
  
Completely enclosing a geothermal generator causes [[Temperature|heat]] to build up and the generator may catch on [[fire]]. This is prevented by leaving a path [[Environment#Openness|outside]] or making at least one tile [[No roof area|unroofed]].
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The construction of a geothermal generator does not inhibit the [[Temperature|heat]] created by the steam geyser, and the geyser will still heat rooms if enclosed. In fact, a room with a Geothermal Generator will be hotter than a room with just a Steam Geyser because the Geothermal Generator shrinks the room size and less cells are needed to be heated. If enclosed in a roofed {{P|Size}} room, the heat generated can be sufficient to autoignite the generator in some [[biomes]].
  
In cold [[biomes]] it can be useful to build your initial base surrounding a geothermal vent as a source of heat, and eventually power generation.
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==Analysis==
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[[File:Geothermal-defense.png|thumb|200px|left|Reasonably defended generator. Most raiders won't try to target this. Leave it unroofed.]]
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Geothermal generators are excellent as a sustainable power source, providing a relatively large amount of permanent, free energy. This comes at the cost of being locked into set positions on map generation. Having access to a single geyser can significantly offset a colony's power needs, while having several can potentially fully supply a modest late-game base. Consider researching [[Research#{{P|Required Research}}|{{P|Required Research}}]] relatively early, to provide eternal power for your growing base.  
  
While you can use [[vent]]s to pipe the generator's heat into another room, a cheaper alternative is an open door. The open door will release some of the heat, and colonists in adjacent rooms will not notice the generator through the door, even if it's in line of sight. Geothermal generators have a very low [[beauty]] score, so if placed indoors, should have their own room.
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As they usually make up a significant portion of a colony's power generation and are relatively expensive, you should protect your vulnerable generators. A single layer of nonflammable, [[stone]] [[wall]]s is usually enough. Raiders which are not [[breacher]]s or [[sappers]] will never target anything behind a layer of walls, so long as they have another valid target (colonist, roaming animal, furniture) without breaking a wall or door. Breachers and sappers will only target walls if they'd be in the way. Multiple layers of walls can be used for extra protection, if so desired.
  
{{nav|power|wide}}
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A small, 8x8 interior is enough to extinguish fires that happen to start on the generator. Leave the generator room's [[roof|unroofed]] to prevent overheating. As the generator's [[component]]s can break down, leave a [[door]] so you can access it. However, as these generators rarely catch fire or break down, you can also build a 6x6 room without door around them and just deconstruct the wall whenever you need to access the inside. The power lines connecting the generators to your base should be constructed from [[hidden conduit]] to avoid being broken by raiders.
[[Category:Buildings]]
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In cold [[biomes]], the heat from the geyser itself can be beneficial. The amount of heat it provides is only a little more than a normal [[heater]].{{Check Tag|Fact Check}} It cannot be controlled normally, though you can open/close doors, vents, or tear down roof or walls. Depending on the outside temperature, if closed under roof a geothermal generator can heat up to 8 rooms of 6x6 placed symmetrically around it with a 1 tile corridor in between.
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A geothermal generator and 2 batteries can power a sun lamp and full set of [[hydroponics basin]]s.
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== Version history ==
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* [[Version/1.0.2096|1.0.2096]] - Texture updated.
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<gallery>
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Geothermal plant old.png|Old texture prior to 1.0.2096
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</gallery>
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{{Nav|power|wide}}
 
[[Category:Power]]
 
[[Category:Power]]

Latest revision as of 17:27, 12 November 2024

Geothermal generator

Geothermal generator

Produces electricity from geothermal steam geysers. Must be placed on a steam geyser.

Base Stats

Type
BuildingPower
Market Value
945 Silver [Note]
Beauty
-30
HP
500
Flammability
50%

Building

Size
6 × 6
Minifiable
False
Placeable
True
Passability
impassable
Cover Effectiveness
75%
Blocks Wind
True
Terrain Affordance
Heavy
Power
3600 W

Creation

Required Research
Geothermal power
Skill Required
Construction 8
Work To Make
12,000 ticks (3.33 mins)
Resources to make
Steel 340 + Component 8
Deconstruct yield
Steel 170 + Component 4
Destroy yield
Steel 85 + Component 2

The geothermal generator is a power generator that can be built on top of a steam geyser to convert natural heat into electrical power, providing a constant 3,600W. Steam geysers are randomly generated per map, sometimes close to each other, others scattered towards the edges or center. Colonies are often seen built in their proximity from early days for future benefit.

Acquisition[edit]

Geothermal generators can be constructed once the geothermal power research project has been completed. Each requires Steel 340 Steel, Component 8 Components, 12,000 ticks (3.33 mins) of work modified by the construction speed of the builder, and a construction skill of 8.

Once constructed, they cannot be re-installed, they can only be deconstructed.

Summary[edit]

Geothermal generators are power generators that can only be built atop a steam geyser, and once constructed produce a constant supply of 3,600W. This power supply is infinite, invariable, and unaffected by weather. Like all power systems however, is still susceptible to solar flares and similar effects.

The construction of a geothermal generator does not inhibit the heat created by the steam geyser, and the geyser will still heat rooms if enclosed. In fact, a room with a Geothermal Generator will be hotter than a room with just a Steam Geyser because the Geothermal Generator shrinks the room size and less cells are needed to be heated. If enclosed in a roofed 6 × 6 room, the heat generated can be sufficient to autoignite the generator in some biomes.

Analysis[edit]

Reasonably defended generator. Most raiders won't try to target this. Leave it unroofed.

Geothermal generators are excellent as a sustainable power source, providing a relatively large amount of permanent, free energy. This comes at the cost of being locked into set positions on map generation. Having access to a single geyser can significantly offset a colony's power needs, while having several can potentially fully supply a modest late-game base. Consider researching Geothermal power relatively early, to provide eternal power for your growing base.

As they usually make up a significant portion of a colony's power generation and are relatively expensive, you should protect your vulnerable generators. A single layer of nonflammable, stone walls is usually enough. Raiders which are not breachers or sappers will never target anything behind a layer of walls, so long as they have another valid target (colonist, roaming animal, furniture) without breaking a wall or door. Breachers and sappers will only target walls if they'd be in the way. Multiple layers of walls can be used for extra protection, if so desired.

A small, 8x8 interior is enough to extinguish fires that happen to start on the generator. Leave the generator room's unroofed to prevent overheating. As the generator's components can break down, leave a door so you can access it. However, as these generators rarely catch fire or break down, you can also build a 6x6 room without door around them and just deconstruct the wall whenever you need to access the inside. The power lines connecting the generators to your base should be constructed from hidden conduit to avoid being broken by raiders.

In cold biomes, the heat from the geyser itself can be beneficial. The amount of heat it provides is only a little more than a normal heater.[Fact Check] It cannot be controlled normally, though you can open/close doors, vents, or tear down roof or walls. Depending on the outside temperature, if closed under roof a geothermal generator can heat up to 8 rooms of 6x6 placed symmetrically around it with a 1 tile corridor in between.

A geothermal generator and 2 batteries can power a sun lamp and full set of hydroponics basins.

Version history[edit]