The Power Grid
The power grid consists of power generators, power distribution modules, power storing modules and power consumers.
These can be listed in the following way:
- Power Generators - These are the power generator facilities and others like the solar panel.
- Power distribution modules - These are the power nodes, distributing power within areas and also storing a small amount of power.
- Power storing modules - This is the power capacity node, capable of storing a substantial amount of power and distributing it when needed.
- Power consumers - All the facilities requiring power to operate, with power consuming spikes depending on their functionality.
The strength of the power grid seen in the power view mode refers to how much power is currently stored in a tile. Power generators, power nodes and power capacity nodes create fields of stored power, which can be monitored in the power view mode.
The way power is distributed works as a two step process:
- Power is distributed with links between between power generators, power nodes and power capacity nodes.
- Power is distributed to facilities through a wireless way from power generators, power nodes and power capacity nodes. Each power node and power generator have their own power distribution area range.
Power Nodes
Power nodes are capable of both distributing power further to three other power nodes, and storing a small amount of power in their built-in battery. The power nodes are capable of distributing power in a wireless way within a certain area, providing all facilities with power within that area.
Power nodes come in different shape and forms:
- The Power Node - This is the sturdiest of the power nodes, with the widest power distribution area and capable of also storing a decent amount of power. However, it also takes up valuable space.
- The Wall Power Node - This is the medium range power node, works well for facilities with a low and medium power need. Takes less space than the power node due to the possibility to mount it on walls.
- The In-floor Power Node - This is the smallest of the power nodes, and can be mounted in a floor tile. It has the lowest storage capacity and also a smaller power distribution area.
Note! It's always wise to combine power nodes with one or more power capacity nodes for heavy duty industry areas or other high spike power consuming facilities. This will ensure they will run optimally without consuming all the power stored withing power nodes.
Step-by-Step to set up the power grid
- Build a power generator / Ensure you have a power generator built.
- Expand the power grid with a power node - The power generator will distribute power to facilities close to it, but in order to expand the power grid you need to build power nodes.
Troubleshooting
- If the power grid is weak in some areas according to the power view mode it means the availability of stored power (Power capacity) in that area is low. This can be improved by building more power nodes in the area, or by building another power generator. One power generator will only be capable of sustaining a certain amount of power need.
- Bottleneck situations might occur if power has to be distributed through many power nodes (each distributing it further to many facilities within their area) to some critical facility needing a lot of power. It's critical to build power capacity nodes close to the facilities requiring more power (Or facilities causing power consume spikes) to prevent these situations from arising.
