Vanometric power cell

The vanometric power cell is a World quest reward power generator that constantly provides 1000W for free and can be installed anywhere.

Acquisition[edit]

Vanometric power cells cannot be constructed nor bought from traders. Instead they can only be acquired as a reward for performing quests. Note that quest rewards are selected with a weighted random generator, so there is no way to guarantee access to any vanometric power cells in a given play-through.

Anecdotally, it is often reported that the increased number of reward options added by the DLC dilute the reward pool with more options.

Summary[edit]

Vanometric power cells provide a constant 1,000W of power without requiring refueling of any kind, or requiring any particular terrain or weather. They can also be freely uninstalled and reinstalled. Solar flares and EMI dynamos disable all electric devices, which prevents the vanometric power cell from functioning.

For comparison, a battery discharging at 1000 W would deplete in roughly 14.4 in-game hours or 36,000 ticks (10 mins).

Analysis[edit]

The vanometric power cell is free power, which is almost always useful. It's also portable and 100% reliable. You can use this item to power:

High-priority equipment (such as base defenses or climate control) in case other power sources fail.
"Off-grid" equipment, such as deep drills, without needing conduits.
Turrets and other supplies when loaded into a caravan or transport pod.

They can also be used for general power usage, as a hassle-free chemfuel generator / battery. Conversely, note that chemfuel generators and batteries can largely replace the function of the vanometric cell. The cell has the advantage of not taking colonist work to fuel, and its components will never breakdown.

In the endgame, you can build ship reactors for the same 1000 W of power as the vanometric cell, with the same amount of consistency. The ship reactor costs 350 Steel, 280 Plasteel, 70 Uranium, 8 Advanced components. Note that the reactor also takes up much more space, cannot be moved, and cannot be placed over mountain.