[MOD 0.17.69+] Solarthermal Energy

[mx-2]

Name: Solarthermal Energy
Description: Adds solarthermal panels and heat accumulators
License: GPL-v3, graphics modified from Factorio
Version: 1.2.0
Release: 10 Okt 2019
Tested-With-Factorio-Version: 0.17.69
Category: Power production
Tags: Power production, heat, solar
Download-Url: https://mods.factorio.com/mod/adv_heat

License

GNU GPLv3 (https://opensource.org/licenses/gpl-3.0),
Uses modified graphics from Factorio - (C) Wube Software

Long description

Adds researchable solarthermal panels and heat accumulators.
Vanilla heat pipes, heat exchangers and nuclear research are rebalanced
(optionally) to fit to the new equipment.

Solarthermal panels work similar to standard solar panels but
generate heat instead of electricity. A single solarthermal panel has
the same power as a vanilla solar panel but it receives a neighbour
bonus like a reactor. Consequently, large arrays have to be used
to get an advantage which is worth the cost and complexity.
If enabled in the mod settings, solathermal arrays and heat accumulators
can be upgraded to Mk2 and Mk3.

Heat accumulators store heat energy in a compact way like vanilla
heat pipes and reactors. The heat capacity of heat exchangers
and heat pipes has reduced heat capacity so you will need
heat accumulators now in medium to large nuclear setups.
This rebalance can be disabled with a config option.

The nuclear power technology is spilt into "nuclear power" and the new
"advanced heat engines" technology which is required before
researching nuclear power and the new technologies.

Compatible with Bob's Mods and Industrial Revolution.

Pictures

Version history

• Version 1.2.0 (10. Okt 2019): Add primary turbines. Add support for multiple surfaces (e.g. from Space Exploration). Various graphical improvements.
• Version 1.1.2 (6. Okt 2019): Fueling script is now independent from tick numbers. This should fix remaining issues with non standard day times.
• Version 1.1.1 (6. Okt 2019): Added Bob's Mods and Industrial Revolution support. Fixed incorrect steam turbine research cost and primary turbine behavior.
• Version 1.1.0 (6. Okt 2019): Updated to Factorio 0.17 and improved script
• Version 1.0.3 (6. Jul 2018): Modified day lengths should now work if using my Non-Freezing Day Extender mod
• Version 1.0.2 (1 Jul 2018): fixed compatibility issue with "advanced electric" and other mods which alter the "nuclear-power" tech
• Version 1.0.1 (26 Jun 2018): added support for modded day lengths
• Version 1.0.0 (23 Jun 2018): initial release

[Light]

Creating some heat with panels during the day with reactors picking up the slack at night, it's an intriguing idea. Saving just a few uranium cells per day in this manner would be nice.

As this mod uses a timer to spawn fuel via vanilla values, the day/night extender mod obviously throws this timer completely off so support would be required.

[mx-2]

This mod is not compatible with day/night extender mods which use the freeze_daytime hack. With this hack, you get multiple ticks with the same timestamp which make it impossible to calculate time values in advance.

If you like to have longer day/night cycle while using this mod, use my new Non-Freezing Day Extender mod instead.

[Hyratel]

Figuring out the best ratios for Mk3 Solarthermal has been a bit of a minor adventure, I'm enjoying experimenting with it all

[mx-2]

Updated to Factorio 0.17 and improved fueling script.
The script should be now much more stable especially if non standard day lengths are used.

This is corectly not compatible with Bob's mods or Industrial Revolution.
Support for those mods is currently work in progress.