Guide to power: Difference between revisions
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Understanding the intricacies of the power dynamic in the station is key to keeping the station in order. Many, especially the [[Head of Personnel|HoP]], believe that the [[Captain]] is the seat of power on the station. This is untrue as having the Captain wired into the station's power grid provides minimal power at best. | Understanding the intricacies of the power dynamic in the station is key to keeping the station in order. Many, especially the [[Head of Personnel|HoP]], believe that the [[Captain]] is the seat of power on the station. This is untrue as having the Captain wired into the station's power grid provides minimal power at best. | ||
The real source of power comes from [[Engineering]] because without [[Station Engineer]]s to set up the power sources at the beginning of a shift, the station would cease to function normally and | The real source of power comes from [[Engineering]] because without [[Station Engineer]]s to set up the power sources at the beginning of a shift, the station would cease to function normally and devolve into a degenerative society with no more power than a uncivilized horde of lowly [[Assistant]]s, who, it should be noted, also provide even less power when wired directly to the grid. | ||
= Power Sources = | = Power Sources = | ||
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=== Singularity === | === Singularity === | ||
The radiant energy produced by the singularity is dependent on its size. The exact amount of energy is estimated implicitly by measuring the power available provided by a bank of Radiation Collectors (here, the 6 used in Engineering) with filled [[Plasma Tank]]s. The power output can be measured by looking at a connected SMES status screen | The radiant energy produced by the singularity is dependent on its size. The exact amount of energy is estimated implicitly by measuring the power available provided by a bank of Radiation Collectors (here, the 6 used in Engineering) with filled [[Plasma Tank]]s. The power output can be measured by looking at a connected SMES status screen, or by measuring the wattage directly from the power lines from the collectors using a multitool. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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The solar arrays act as a secondary power source. They are composed of 60 panels per array and there are 4 arrays on the station. Each panel can produce 1.5 kW of power for a total of 90 kW per array. | The solar arrays act as a secondary power source. They are composed of 60 panels per array and there are 4 arrays on the station. Each panel can produce 1.5 kW of power for a total of 90 kW per array. | ||
The solar arrays only produce power when directly facing the local star. (The star is off-screen from the station and cannot be located by the player directly.) A solar tracking module can wired into the solar array circuitry and, with the help of a solar power console, the solar panels can be made to automatically track the local star, which maximizes the power generation for each panel. However, as the station revolves around the star (which, again, is unseen by the player), the solar arrays often land in the shadow of the station which | The solar arrays only produce power when directly facing the local star. (The star is off-screen from the station and cannot be located by the player directly.) A solar tracking module can be wired into the solar array circuitry and, with the help of a solar power console, the solar panels can be made to automatically track the local star, which maximizes the power generation for each panel. However, as the station revolves around the star (which, again, is unseen by the player), the solar arrays often land in the shadow of the station which negatively affects solar power generation at the affected arrays. This effectively gives the solar arrays a solar day-night cycle, where it generates power during the day cycle and does not generate power during the night cycle. Because of the solar cycle, a given array will be able to generate power about 50% (estimated but unconfirmed) of the time, which can be translated to an average 45 kW per unit time, rather than the full 90 kW. | ||
The solar panels themselves can be, and often are, broken by debris floating in space. Each broken panel reduces the total power generation of the array. | The solar panels themselves can be, and often are, broken by debris floating in space. Each broken panel reduces the total power generation of the array. | ||
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If more power storage is desired, say in the initial stage of the set-up, the engineer may want to reduce or even eliminate power output for the first few solar cycles, before setting the long-term power output. | If more power storage is desired, say in the initial stage of the set-up, the engineer may want to reduce or even eliminate power output for the first few solar cycles, before setting the long-term power output. | ||
Once all four Solar SMESs are adequately charged and outputting long-term power, they will provide a very dependable power output with almost no oversight needed. In our example, the station would receive 160 kW (4 arrays x 40 kW SMES output) from solars, which is usually more than enough to sustain the station on its own without the | Once all four Solar SMESs are adequately charged and outputting long-term power, they will provide a very dependable power output with almost no oversight needed. In our example, the station would receive 160 kW (4 arrays x 40 kW SMES output) from solars, which is usually more than enough to sustain the station on its own without the engine. This system is also modular, so that even if only three out of four Solar SMESs are used, the total power output is reduced accordingly but still completely steady. | ||
That being said, if unchecked, power sinks can drain the solar SMESs, which if depleted would need to go through a solar cycle again before being able to provide steady, adequate power to the station. | That being said, if unchecked, power sinks can drain the solar SMESs, which if depleted would need to go through a solar cycle again before being able to provide steady, adequate power to the station. | ||