Research and Energy Sources: Difference between pages

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{{cleanup|Broaden the scope - add all energy sources here, and have Fuels as a subsection.}}
Researching technologies allows you to unlock more components, more buildings, and upgrades for your mecha, your mecha's drones, and the [[Logistics Drone|Logistics Drones]] and [[Logistics Vessel|Logistics Vessels]].


==Technology vs Upgrade==
Dyson Sphere Program has several ways of generating power. From the [[Wind Turbine|wind turbine]] you start with, to [[Mini Fusion Power Station|fusion generators]], [[Artificial Star|artificial stars]] and of course the Dyson Sphere itself. Some of these generators and your mech, Icarus, run on one or more different fuels. This page lists all fuels in the game and explains the stats they use.
Research (accessible via the {{kbd|T}} key or by clicking the large icon in the bottom right) is broken into two categories: [[Technologies]] and [[Upgrades]]. The primary difference between them is that Technologies almost always unlock new components, buildings or abilities, while Upgrades focus more on improving your existing abilities. There are a few cases where the line is not quite clear, such as requiring [[Drive_Engine_(Upgrade)|Drive Engine Level 4]] (an Upgrade) in order to use [[Space Warper|Space Warpers]] in your mecha, but the Space Warpers themselves are unlocked via [[Gravitational_Wave_Refraction_(Tech)|Gravitational Wave Refraction]], a Technology.


==Automation==
==Fuel stats==
At the start of the game, research can only be accomplished by hand - that is, directly from the inventory of your mecha. Many of the earliest technologies require regular materials to research them, such as [[Iron Ingot]] or [[Copper Ingot]]. After researching [[Electromagnetic_Matrix_(Tech)|Electromagnetic Matrix]], you will gain access to [[Matrix Lab|Matrix Labs]]. You will also require [[Automatic Metallurgy_(Tech)|Automatic Metallurgy]] to make the Glass that is a component of these buildings.
All fuels have two stats that tell you how good they are: '''Energy''', and '''Fuel chamber gen.'''


After placing a Matrix Lab, you must select which mode it will operate in:
'''Energy''' is the total energy each item contains. When used in your mech, the [[Mini Fusion Power Station]] and the [[Artificial Star]], this is the total energy it generates. [[Thermal Power Station|Thermal Power Stations]] incur a 20% energy loss for all fuels they use.
* If you select a Matrix type on the left, it puts the Lab into production mode, creating the specified type of science matrix so long as you provide the requisite materials.
** In production mode, like with other production buildings, be sure to automate the removal of the created matrices, via sorters and conveyors.
* If you select Research, on the right, it puts the Lab into Research mode, consuming matrixes to research the technologies that you have queued up.
** In Research mode, the Matrix Lab must be supplied with matrix cubes from an external source (often, other matrix labs in Manufacturing mode). A lab cannot both create and consume matrices at the same time.


The choice is not final - you can switch between the two freely. Doing so, however, will eject all materials that were stored in the lab into your inventory.  
'''Fuel chamber gen.''' marks how efficient your mech's Fuel Chamber is at converting the fuel. This only changes how fast energy is recharged, not how much total energy is produced. Note that [[Coal]] with 0% is the only fuel that matches your [[Energy Circuit (Upgrade)|Energy Circuit]] upgrade level. Both positive and negative percentages are relative to this. For instance, both a [[Hydrogen Fuel Rod]] and the 5 [[Hydrogen]] it requires to produce contain a total of 40MJ (before patch '''0.6.17.5972, [[Hydrogen Fuel Rod]]''' now contains 50MJ), but the fuel rod has a Fuel chamber gen. of +200% instead of the +100% of regular hydrogen, meaning you will use the fuel rod 50% faster (300% total charge rate compared to 200%) than the regular hydrogen and therefore recharge energy 50% faster. The time a fuel item lasts and your recovery speed both depend on your [[Energy Circuit (Upgrade)|Energy Circuit]] upgrade level. As this stat only affects your mech, processing hydrogen into fuel rods for use in the [[Thermal Power Station]] is a waste of resources.


Note: the Matrix Labs can only consume Matrix cubes when in Research mode - they cannot be used to research Technologies or Upgrades that do not require Matrix cubes.
===Burn Time===
Burn Time is calculated with the following formula:  
<pre>(Energy * Efficiency) / Rate == burn time (in seconds)</pre>
Energy is the amount of energy stored in the fuel, in Joules.<br>
Efficiency is the conversion efficiency of the generator burning the fuel. For a [[Thermal Power Station]], this is 0.8 (80%).<br>
Rate is the rate at which the generator is supplying power (in Watts) to the grid.  


==Concurrence==
Example: To calculate the burn time of 1 Energetic Graphite in 1 thermal power generator at 100% load:
Regardless of how many Matrix Labs you have set up for Research mode, they will all work toward the current technology or upgrade in your queue. Additionally, if you have Matrix Labs researching technologies and you try to research a technology by hand, you must also contribute only to the current technology in the queue. There is no method that the game provides to research multiple technologies or upgrades simultaenously.
<pre>Energy * Efficiency / Rate == burn time (in seconds)
(6.3 MJ * 0.8) / 2.16MW  == 2.333 seconds
</pre>


This restriction does not apply to the manufacture of matrix cubes, for research labs in Manufacturing mode. Different Matrix Labs (or different stacks of them, see "Stacking" below), can work manufacture different types of Matrix cubes at the same time.
The table below has been calculated at 100% load for all fuels/generators. Fuel <em>typically</em> takes longer than this to burn in practice, because it is abnormal to keep a power grid at 100% load at all times.


==Stacking==
==List of Fuels==
It is possible to stack multiple Matrix Labs on top of one another. Initially, the game permits up to 3 matrix labs to be stacked. This can be further increased to a maximum of 15, through the [[Vertical Construction (Upgrade)|Vertical Construction]] Upgrade.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
Stacked Matrix labs automatically share the same task - manufacturing or researching, as the other labs that they are vertically stacked with. This permits the player to set the task on only one lab in the stack, and know that all others will help work toward the same goal, and it even permits adding a new lab to the stack while they are active, the newly added lab will inherit its task immediately.
 
Stacked Matrix Labs can be fed from the bottom, after the internal inventory of the bottom-most lab fills up, it will send additional resources to the next lab up, and so on. Similarly, when extracting from a stack of Matrix Labs in Production mode, you need only extract from the bottom - upper labs will move their product down to fill the open slots lower in the stack.
 
==Use Inventory Item==
The Use Inventory Item checkbox, seen on the Manual Research information box in the top left of the screen (when present), is the player's method by which to specify whether items in the player's inventory that are needed for the current research, should be allocated to it. If you have <em>any</em> materials that are needed for the current research, they are immediately removed from your inventory and held in an inaccessible reserve for the purpose of research. This can be very misleading to the unaware player, as it is frequently interpreted as materials merely vanishing from your inventory without warning.
 
Cancelling the active research, or disabling Use Inventory Items, will return all reserved items to your inventory. It is advised, if you do not intend to manually research a technology, to disable Use Inventory Item so that you do not run into this confusion.
 
To re-enable this feature, you will find it on the {{kbd|T}}echnologies screen.
 
== Matrix Production ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Number of labs outputting matrices per belt tier to fully saturate the belt
|-
|-
! Belt Tier !! [[File:Icon_Electromagnetic_Matrix.png|link=Electromagnetic_Matrix|45px]] !! [[File:Icon_Energy_Matrix.png|link=Energy_Matrix|45px]] !! [[File:Icon_Structure_Matrix.png|link=Structure_Matrix|45px]] !! [[File:Icon_Information_Matrix.png|link=Information_Matrix|45px]] !! [[File:Icon_Gravity_Matrix.png|link=Gravity_Matrix|45px]] !! [[File:Icon_Universe_Matrix.png|link=Universe_Matrix|45px]]
! Fuel !! Stack Size !!Type !! Energy !! Fuel chamber gen. !! Generator !! Generator Burn Time !! Units per minute in generator
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Conveyor_Belt_Mk.I.png|link=Conveyor_Belt_Mk.I|45px]] || 18 || 36 || 48 || 60 || 72 || 90
| [[File:Icon_Plant_Fuel.png|link=Plant_Fuel]] || 500 || Natural Resource, Chemical || data-sort-value="500" | 500 kJ || -30% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 0.185 s || 324.32
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Conveyor_Belt_Mk.II.png|link=Conveyor_Belt_Mk.II|45px]] || 36  || 72 || 96 || 120 || 144 || 480
| [[File:Icon_Log.png|link=Log]] || 100 || Natural Resource, Chemical || data-sort-value="1500" | 1.50 MJ || -10% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 0.556 s || 107.91
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Conveyor_Belt_Mk.III.png|link=Conveyor_Belt_Mk.III|45px]] || 90 || 180 || 240 || 300 || 360 || 450
| [[File:Icon_Organic_Crystal.png|link=Organic_Crystal]] || 100 || Rare Resource, Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="1800" | 1.80 MJ || -20% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 0.667 s || 89.96
|}
 
Number of Belts and Ingredients needed to saturate one output belt.<br>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
|-
! Matrix Produced !! Number of Belts !! Item
| [[File:Icon_Coal.png|link=Coal]] || 100 || Natural Resource, Chemical || data-sort-value="2700" | 2.70 MJ || 0% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 1 s || 60
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Electromagnetic_Matrix.png|link=Electromagnetic_Matrix|45px]] || 1 || [[File:Icon_Circuit_Board.png|link=Circuit_Board|45px]]  
| [[File:Icon_Energetic_Graphite.png|link=Energetic_Graphite]] || 100 || Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="6300" | 6.30 MJ || +60% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 2.333 s || 25.72
|-
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Magnetic_Coil.png|link=Magnetic_Coil|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Crude_Oil.png|link=Crude_Oil]] || 20 || Natural Resource, Chemical || data-sort-value="4000" | 4.00 MJ || +20% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 1.481 s || 40.51
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Matrix Produced !! Number of Belts !! Item
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Energy_Matrix.png|link=Energy_Matrix|45px]] || 2 || [[File:Icon_Energetic_Graphite.png|link=Energetic_Graphite|45px]]  
| [[File:Icon_Refined_Oil.png|link=Refined_Oil]] || 20 || Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="4400" | 4.40 MJ || +30% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 1.630 s || 36.81
|-
|-
| || 2 || [[File:Icon_Hydrogen.png|link=Hydrogen|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Hydrogen.png|link=Hydrogen]] || 20 || Rare Resource, Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="8000" | 8.00 MJ || +100% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 2.963 s || 20.25
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+  
|-
|-
! Matrix Produced !! Number of Belts !! Item
| [[File:Icon_Deuterium.png|link=Deuterium]] || 20 || Rare Resource, Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="8000" | 8.00 MJ || +100% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 2.963 s || 20.25
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Structure_Matrix.png|link=Structure_Matrix|45px]] || 1 || [[File:Icon_Titanium_Crystal.png|link=Titanium_Crystal|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Diamond.png|link=Diamond]] || 100 || Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="900" | 900 kJ || -50% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 0.333 s || 180.18
|-
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Diamond.png|link=Diamond|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Graphene.png|link=Graphene]] || 100 || Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="96" | 96.0 kJ || -70% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 0.036 s || 1666.67
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
|-
! Matrix Produced !! Number of Belts !! Item
| [[File:Icon_Carbon_Nanotube.png|link=Carbon_Nanotube]] || 100 || Material, Chemical || data-sort-value="86" | 84.0 kJ || -80% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 0.031 s || 1935.48
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Information_Matrix.png|link=Information_Matrix|45px]] || 2 || [[File:Icon_Processor.png|link=Processor|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Fire_Ice.png|link=Fire_Ice]] || 50 || Rare Resource, Chemical || data-sort-value="4800" | 4.80 MJ || +40% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 1.778 s || 33.75
|-
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Particle_Broadband.png|link=Particle_Broadband|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Hydrogen_Fuel_Rod.png|link=Hydrogen_Fuel_Rod]] || 30 || End Product, Chemical || data-sort-value="40000" | 50.0 MJ || +200% || [[File:Icon_Thermal_Power_Station.png|link=Thermal_Power_Station]] || 18.519 s || 3.24
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
|-
! Matrix Produced !! Number of Belts !! Item
| [[File:Icon_Deuteron_Fuel_Rod.png|link=Deuteron_Fuel_Rod]] || 20 || End Product, Nuclear Energy || data-sort-value="600000" | 600 MJ || +300% || [[File:Icon_Mini_Fusion_Power_Station.png|link=Mini_Fusion_Power_Station]] || 66.667 s || 0.9
|-
|-
| [[File:Icon_Gravity_Matrix.png|link=Gravity_Matrix|45px]] || 0.5 || [[File:Icon_Graviton_Lens.png|link=Graviton_Lens|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Antimatter_Fuel_Rod.png|link=Antimatter_Fuel_Rod]] || 20 || End Product, Mass Energy || data-sort-value="7500000" | 7.50 GJ || +500% || [[File:Icon_Artificial_Star.png|link=Artificial_Star]] || 100 s || 0.6
|-
|-
| || 0.5 || [[File:Icon_Quantum_Chip.png|link=Quantum_Chip|45px]]
| [[File:Icon_Full_Accumulator.png|link=Full_Accumulator]] || 20 || Power storage <ref name="accumulator">Will return an empty [[Accumulator|accumulator]] when used in the [[Energy Exchanger]]. If used to power Icarus, the accumulator will be destroyed.</ref> || data-sort-value="90000" | 90.0 MJ || +100% || [[File:Icon_Energy_Exchanger.png|link=Energy_Exchanger]] || 2 s || 30
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Matrix Produced !! Number of Belts !! Item
|-
| [[File:Icon_Universe_Matrix.png|link=Universe_Matrix|45px]] || 1 || [[File:Icon_Antimatter.png|link=Antimatter|45px]]
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Electromagnetic_Matrix.png|link=Electromagnetic_Matrix|45px]]
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Energy_Matrix.png|link=Energy_Matrix|45px]]
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Structure_Matrix.png|link=Structure_Matrix|45px]]
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Information_Matrix.png|link=Information_Matrix|45px]]
|-
| || 1 || [[File:Icon_Gravity_Matrix.png|link=Gravity_Matrix|45px]]
|}
<small>Note<sup>1</sup>: Gravity Matrix (Green) is the only matrix that produces 2 per cycle</small>


==Consumption==  
<references/>
 
==Efficient Power Generation==
The following chapters describe by example the best ways to utilize the different basic fuel resources [[Coal]], [[Crude Oil]], and [[Fire Ice]], taking the power consumption of required buildings like smelters, refineries, sorters etc. into account.
 
===Coal vs. Energetic Graphite===
Maybe surprisingly, burning [[Coal]] directly in the [[Thermal Power Station]] is more efficient than crafting and burning [[Energetic Graphite]], as shown in the following calculation.
 
====Assumptions====
* Four [[Mining Machine|Mining Machines]], each covering 6 coal veins.
* No [[Veins Utilization_(Upgrade)|Veins Utilization]] upgrade.
 
====Burning Coal====
* Coal production: 24 Veins * 0.5 Coal/s = 12 Coal/s.
* Energy content: 12 Coal * 2.7 MJ = 32.4 MJ.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 12 Coal/s: 32.4 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 12 Stations.
* Power production: 12 Stations * 2.16 MW = 25.92 MW.
* Power consumption:
# Mining Machines: 4 * 420 kW = 1.68 MW.
# Sorters (1 per Station): 12 * 18 kW = 0.216 MW.
* Net power production: 25.92 MW - 1.68 MW - 0.216 MW = '''24.024 MW'''.
 
====Burning Energetic Graphite====
* Smelting 12 Coal/s needs 12 [[Smelter|Smelters]] and results in 6 Graphite/s.
* Energy content: 6 Graphite * 6.3 MJ = 37.8 MJ.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 6 Graphite/s: 37.8 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 14 Stations.
* Power production: 14 Stations * 2.16 MW = 30.24 MW.
* Power consumption:
# Mining Machines: 4 * 420 kW = 1.68 MW.
# Smelters: 12 * 360 kW = 4.32 MW.
# Sorters (2 per Smelter, 1 per Station): 38 * 18 kW = 0.684 MW.
* Net power production: 30.24 MW - 1.68 MW - 4.32 MW - 0.684 MW = '''23.556 MW'''.
 
====Conclusion====
The increased effort of smelting Energetic Graphite from Coal results in ~0.5 MW less net power production.
 
===Crude Oil vs. Refined Oil vs. X-Ray Cracking vs. Hydrogen Rods===
[[Crude Oil]] can be converted to [[Refined Oil]] and [[Hydrogen]]. Using the [[X-Ray Cracking]] recipe, this can be converted to [[Energetic Graphite]] and Hydrogen. Finally, Hydrogen and [[Titanium Ingot|Titanium Ingots]] can be crafted to [[Hydrogen Fuel Rod|Hydrogen Fuel Rods]].
 
====Assumptions====
* One Crude Oil Seep producing 1.5 Oil/s.
* No [[Veins Utilization_(Upgrade)|Veins Utilization]] upgrade.
 
====Burning Crude Oil====
* Crude Oil production: 1.5 Oil/s.
* Energy content: 1.5 Crude Oil * 4 MJ = 6 MJ.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Oil/s: 6 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 2 Stations.
* Power production: 2 Stations * 2.16 MW = 4.32 MW.
* Power consumption:
# [[Oil Extractor]]: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
# Sorters (1 per Station): 2 * 18 kW = 0.036 MW.
* Net power production: 4.32 MW - 0.84 MW - 0.036 MW = '''3.444 MW'''.
 
====Burning Refined Oil And Hydrogen====
* Refining 1.5 Crude Oil/s needs 3 [[Oil Refinery|Oil Refineries]] and results in 1.5 Refined Oil/s and 0.75 Hydrogen/s.
* Energy content: 1.5 Refined Oil * 4.4 MJ = 6.6 MJ.
* Energy content: 0.75 Hydrogen * 8 MJ = 6 MJ.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Refined Oil/s: 6.6 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 2 Stations.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 0.75 Hydrogen/s: 6 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 2 Stations.
* Power production: 4 Stations * 2.16 MW = 8.64 MW.
* Power consumption:
# Oil Extractor: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
# Oil Refineries: 3 * 960 kW = 2.88 MW.
# Sorters (3 per Refinery, 1 per Station): 13 * 18 kW = 0.234 MW.
* Net power production: 8.64 MW - 0.84 MW - 2.88 MW - 0.234 MW = '''4.686 MW'''.
 
====Burning Energetic Graphite And Hydrogen (X-Ray Cracking)====
* Cracking 1.5 Refined Oil/s needs 6 [[Oil Refinery|Oil Refineries]] and results in 1.5 Graphite/s and 1.5 extra Hydrogen/s (2.25 Hydrogen/s in total).
* Energy content: 1.5 Graphite * 6.3 MJ = 9.45 MJ.
* Energy content: 2.25 Hydrogen * 8 MJ = 18 MJ.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Graphite/s: 9.45 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 3 Stations.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 2.25 Hydrogen/s: 18 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 6 Stations.
* Power production: 9 Stations * 2.16 MW = 19.44 MW.
* Power consumption:
# Oil Extractor: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
# Oil Refineries: 9 * 960 kW = 8.64 MW.
# Sorters (3 per Refined Oil, 4 per X-Ray, 1 per Station): 42 * 18 kW = 0.756 MW.
* Net power production: 19.44 MW - 0.84 MW - 8.64 MW - 0.756 MW = '''9.204 MW'''.
 
====Burning Energetic Graphite And Hydrogen Fuel Rods (With X-Ray Cracking)====
* Crafting [[Hydrogen Fuel Rod|Hydrogen Fuel Rods]] from 2.25 Hydrogen/s needs 1 Mining Machine for [[Titanium Ore]], 1 Smelter for [[Titanium Ingot|Titanium Ingots]] and 2 [[Assembling Machine Mk.I|Assemblers]] for the Fuel Rods, and results in 0.45 Fuel Rods/s (5 Hydrogen per Fuel Rod).
* Energy content: 1.5 Graphite * 6.3 MJ = 9.45 MJ.
* Energy content: 0.45 Fuel Rods * 50 MJ = 22.5 MJ.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Graphite/s: 9.45 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 3 Stations.
* Number of Power Stations needed to burn 0.45 Fuel Rods/s: 22.5 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 8 Stations.
* Power production: 11 Stations * 2.16 MW = 23.76 MW.
* Power consumption:
# Oil Extractor: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
# Oil Refineries: 9 * 960 kW = 8.64 MW.
# Mining Machines: 1 * 420 kW = 0.42 MW.
# Smelters: 1 * 360 kW = 0.36 MW.
# Assemblers: 2 * 270 kW = 0.54 MW.
# Sorters (3 per Refined Oil, 4 per X-Ray, 2 per Smelter, 3 per Assembler, 1 per Station): 52 * 18 kW = 0.936 MW.
* Net power production: 23.76 MW - 0.84 MW - 8.64 MW - -0.42 MW - 0.36 MW - 0.54 MW - 0.936 MW = '''12.024 MW'''.


Matrix Labs consume cubes at varying rates, depending on the technology being researched. There is no particular formula that can account for all cases. Not only do some technologies seem to value cube smore than others (a single cube converts into more hashes for some techs than for others), some technologies also do not require an equal number of each cube that they demand.
====Conclusion====
Each step in the production chain increases the net power production.
* Crude Oil: 3.444 MW.
* Refined Oil: 4.686 MW.
* X-Ray Cracking: 9.204 MW.
* Hydrogen Fuel Rods: 12.024 MW.


==Flowchart==
[[Category:Dyson Sphere Program]]
This flowchart outlines the production chains for each type of Matrix Cube
[[File:Science_Flowchart_Transparent.png]]

Revision as of 08:21, 7 April 2021

Dyson Sphere Program has several ways of generating power. From the wind turbine you start with, to fusion generators, artificial stars and of course the Dyson Sphere itself. Some of these generators and your mech, Icarus, run on one or more different fuels. This page lists all fuels in the game and explains the stats they use.

Fuel stats

All fuels have two stats that tell you how good they are: Energy, and Fuel chamber gen.

Energy is the total energy each item contains. When used in your mech, the Mini Fusion Power Station and the Artificial Star, this is the total energy it generates. Thermal Power Stations incur a 20% energy loss for all fuels they use.

Fuel chamber gen. marks how efficient your mech's Fuel Chamber is at converting the fuel. This only changes how fast energy is recharged, not how much total energy is produced. Note that Coal with 0% is the only fuel that matches your Energy Circuit upgrade level. Both positive and negative percentages are relative to this. For instance, both a Hydrogen Fuel Rod and the 5 Hydrogen it requires to produce contain a total of 40MJ (before patch 0.6.17.5972, Hydrogen Fuel Rod now contains 50MJ), but the fuel rod has a Fuel chamber gen. of +200% instead of the +100% of regular hydrogen, meaning you will use the fuel rod 50% faster (300% total charge rate compared to 200%) than the regular hydrogen and therefore recharge energy 50% faster. The time a fuel item lasts and your recovery speed both depend on your Energy Circuit upgrade level. As this stat only affects your mech, processing hydrogen into fuel rods for use in the Thermal Power Station is a waste of resources.

Burn Time

Burn Time is calculated with the following formula: 

(Energy * Efficiency) / Rate == burn time (in seconds)

Energy is the amount of energy stored in the fuel, in Joules.
Efficiency is the conversion efficiency of the generator burning the fuel. For a Thermal Power Station, this is 0.8 (80%).
Rate is the rate at which the generator is supplying power (in Watts) to the grid.

Example: To calculate the burn time of 1 Energetic Graphite in 1 thermal power generator at 100% load: 

Energy * Efficiency / Rate == burn time (in seconds)
(6.3 MJ * 0.8) / 2.16MW  == 2.333 seconds

The table below has been calculated at 100% load for all fuels/generators. Fuel typically takes longer than this to burn in practice, because it is abnormal to keep a power grid at 100% load at all times.

List of Fuels

Fuel Stack Size Type Energy Fuel chamber gen. Generator Generator Burn Time Units per minute in generator
Icon Plant Fuel.png 500 Natural Resource, Chemical 500 kJ -30% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 0.185 s 324.32
Icon Log.png 100 Natural Resource, Chemical 1.50 MJ -10% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 0.556 s 107.91
Icon Organic Crystal.png 100 Rare Resource, Material, Chemical 1.80 MJ -20% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 0.667 s 89.96
Icon Coal.png 100 Natural Resource, Chemical 2.70 MJ 0% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 1 s 60
Icon Energetic Graphite.png 100 Material, Chemical 6.30 MJ +60% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 2.333 s 25.72
Icon Crude Oil.png 20 Natural Resource, Chemical 4.00 MJ +20% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 1.481 s 40.51
Icon Refined Oil.png 20 Material, Chemical 4.40 MJ +30% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 1.630 s 36.81
Icon Hydrogen.png 20 Rare Resource, Material, Chemical 8.00 MJ +100% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 2.963 s 20.25
Icon Deuterium.png 20 Rare Resource, Material, Chemical 8.00 MJ +100% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 2.963 s 20.25
Icon Diamond.png 100 Material, Chemical 900 kJ -50% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 0.333 s 180.18
Icon Graphene.png 100 Material, Chemical 96.0 kJ -70% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 0.036 s 1666.67
Icon Carbon Nanotube.png 100 Material, Chemical 84.0 kJ -80% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 0.031 s 1935.48
Icon Fire Ice.png 50 Rare Resource, Chemical 4.80 MJ +40% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 1.778 s 33.75
Icon Hydrogen Fuel Rod.png 30 End Product, Chemical 50.0 MJ +200% Icon Thermal Power Station.png 18.519 s 3.24
Icon Deuteron Fuel Rod.png 20 End Product, Nuclear Energy 600 MJ +300% Icon Mini Fusion Power Station.png 66.667 s 0.9
Icon Antimatter Fuel Rod.png 20 End Product, Mass Energy 7.50 GJ +500% Icon Artificial Star.png 100 s 0.6
Icon Full Accumulator.png 20 Power storage [1] 90.0 MJ +100% Icon Energy Exchanger.png 2 s 30
  1. ↑ Will return an empty accumulator when used in the Energy Exchanger. If used to power Icarus, the accumulator will be destroyed.

Efficient Power Generation

The following chapters describe by example the best ways to utilize the different basic fuel resources Coal, Crude Oil, and Fire Ice, taking the power consumption of required buildings like smelters, refineries, sorters etc. into account.

Coal vs. Energetic Graphite

Maybe surprisingly, burning Coal directly in the Thermal Power Station is more efficient than crafting and burning Energetic Graphite, as shown in the following calculation.

Assumptions

Burning Coal

  • Coal production: 24 Veins * 0.5 Coal/s = 12 Coal/s.
  • Energy content: 12 Coal * 2.7 MJ = 32.4 MJ.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 12 Coal/s: 32.4 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 12 Stations.
  • Power production: 12 Stations * 2.16 MW = 25.92 MW.
  • Power consumption:
  1. Mining Machines: 4 * 420 kW = 1.68 MW.
  2. Sorters (1 per Station): 12 * 18 kW = 0.216 MW.
  • Net power production: 25.92 MW - 1.68 MW - 0.216 MW = 24.024 MW.

Burning Energetic Graphite

  • Smelting 12 Coal/s needs 12 Smelters and results in 6 Graphite/s.
  • Energy content: 6 Graphite * 6.3 MJ = 37.8 MJ.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 6 Graphite/s: 37.8 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 14 Stations.
  • Power production: 14 Stations * 2.16 MW = 30.24 MW.
  • Power consumption:
  1. Mining Machines: 4 * 420 kW = 1.68 MW.
  2. Smelters: 12 * 360 kW = 4.32 MW.
  3. Sorters (2 per Smelter, 1 per Station): 38 * 18 kW = 0.684 MW.
  • Net power production: 30.24 MW - 1.68 MW - 4.32 MW - 0.684 MW = 23.556 MW.

Conclusion

The increased effort of smelting Energetic Graphite from Coal results in ~0.5 MW less net power production.

Crude Oil vs. Refined Oil vs. X-Ray Cracking vs. Hydrogen Rods

Crude Oil can be converted to Refined Oil and Hydrogen. Using the X-Ray Cracking recipe, this can be converted to Energetic Graphite and Hydrogen. Finally, Hydrogen and Titanium Ingots can be crafted to Hydrogen Fuel Rods.

Assumptions

Burning Crude Oil

  • Crude Oil production: 1.5 Oil/s.
  • Energy content: 1.5 Crude Oil * 4 MJ = 6 MJ.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Oil/s: 6 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 2 Stations.
  • Power production: 2 Stations * 2.16 MW = 4.32 MW.
  • Power consumption:
  1. Oil Extractor: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
  2. Sorters (1 per Station): 2 * 18 kW = 0.036 MW.
  • Net power production: 4.32 MW - 0.84 MW - 0.036 MW = 3.444 MW.

Burning Refined Oil And Hydrogen

  • Refining 1.5 Crude Oil/s needs 3 Oil Refineries and results in 1.5 Refined Oil/s and 0.75 Hydrogen/s.
  • Energy content: 1.5 Refined Oil * 4.4 MJ = 6.6 MJ.
  • Energy content: 0.75 Hydrogen * 8 MJ = 6 MJ.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Refined Oil/s: 6.6 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 2 Stations.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 0.75 Hydrogen/s: 6 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 2 Stations.
  • Power production: 4 Stations * 2.16 MW = 8.64 MW.
  • Power consumption:
  1. Oil Extractor: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
  2. Oil Refineries: 3 * 960 kW = 2.88 MW.
  3. Sorters (3 per Refinery, 1 per Station): 13 * 18 kW = 0.234 MW.
  • Net power production: 8.64 MW - 0.84 MW - 2.88 MW - 0.234 MW = 4.686 MW.

Burning Energetic Graphite And Hydrogen (X-Ray Cracking)

  • Cracking 1.5 Refined Oil/s needs 6 Oil Refineries and results in 1.5 Graphite/s and 1.5 extra Hydrogen/s (2.25 Hydrogen/s in total).
  • Energy content: 1.5 Graphite * 6.3 MJ = 9.45 MJ.
  • Energy content: 2.25 Hydrogen * 8 MJ = 18 MJ.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Graphite/s: 9.45 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 3 Stations.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 2.25 Hydrogen/s: 18 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 6 Stations.
  • Power production: 9 Stations * 2.16 MW = 19.44 MW.
  • Power consumption:
  1. Oil Extractor: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
  2. Oil Refineries: 9 * 960 kW = 8.64 MW.
  3. Sorters (3 per Refined Oil, 4 per X-Ray, 1 per Station): 42 * 18 kW = 0.756 MW.
  • Net power production: 19.44 MW - 0.84 MW - 8.64 MW - 0.756 MW = 9.204 MW.

Burning Energetic Graphite And Hydrogen Fuel Rods (With X-Ray Cracking)

  • Crafting Hydrogen Fuel Rods from 2.25 Hydrogen/s needs 1 Mining Machine for Titanium Ore, 1 Smelter for Titanium Ingots and 2 Assemblers for the Fuel Rods, and results in 0.45 Fuel Rods/s (5 Hydrogen per Fuel Rod).
  • Energy content: 1.5 Graphite * 6.3 MJ = 9.45 MJ.
  • Energy content: 0.45 Fuel Rods * 50 MJ = 22.5 MJ.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 1.5 Graphite/s: 9.45 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 3 Stations.
  • Number of Power Stations needed to burn 0.45 Fuel Rods/s: 22.5 MJ * 0.8 / 2.16 MW = 8 Stations.
  • Power production: 11 Stations * 2.16 MW = 23.76 MW.
  • Power consumption:
  1. Oil Extractor: 1 * 840 kW = 0.84 MW.
  2. Oil Refineries: 9 * 960 kW = 8.64 MW.
  3. Mining Machines: 1 * 420 kW = 0.42 MW.
  4. Smelters: 1 * 360 kW = 0.36 MW.
  5. Assemblers: 2 * 270 kW = 0.54 MW.
  6. Sorters (3 per Refined Oil, 4 per X-Ray, 2 per Smelter, 3 per Assembler, 1 per Station): 52 * 18 kW = 0.936 MW.
  • Net power production: 23.76 MW - 0.84 MW - 8.64 MW - -0.42 MW - 0.36 MW - 0.54 MW - 0.936 MW = 12.024 MW.

Conclusion

Each step in the production chain increases the net power production.

  • Crude Oil: 3.444 MW.
  • Refined Oil: 4.686 MW.
  • X-Ray Cracking: 9.204 MW.
  • Hydrogen Fuel Rods: 12.024 MW.
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