[2.0.23] Plasma distribution between connected fusion reactors causes lower fuel efficiency

[TappTapp]

When two fusion reactors are connected by plasma ports and running at 50% load, one of the reactors works at 100% and the other at 0%. This reduces the neighbour bonus and therefore fuel efficiency of the system. In some cases, 70% higher fuel efficiency is achieved by avoiding the plasma connectors. This doesn't seem like the intended or intuitive way to design fusion reactor layouts.



Finding the most fuel efficient load distribution is NP-hard, so I wouldn't expect the game to find the optimal solution. However, the current load distribution is often the worst possible. If reactors sharing plasma ran at equal load as each other, that would be very close to optimal fuel efficiency and reward players for using the plasma sharing mechanic as intended.

[Loewchen]

122346

[TappTapp]

122346

There are no fusion generators connecting their output back into fusion reactors in my example layouts, so I don't think that is relevant here.
EDIT: I also haven't seen any evidence that plasma is being lost.

[TappTapp]

Another example of plasma fluid flow affecting fuel efficiency in an unintuitive way

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