Factorio Forums

Good morning, afternoon, or evening. My idea is to add alternating current with a power factor to the electrical grid that has active and reactive power. The actual power used by the machines depends on the active power, as in real life. It would also be good to consider the length of the cables in case they produce any voltage drops or reactive inductance, but that is optional
Thk for your attention.

Machines already have a minimum power draw statistic, which you can pretend represents the "Power Factor" adjustment. kilowatt ratings are (roughly) equal to the kVA rating. Accumulators can be used as a limiter of flow between networks.

Mod exists: Power Overload. Conductor length / resistance / inductance is not simulated, but this is pretty good compared to the base games unlimited power draw mechanics.

In the game, the machines seem to work with DC and not AC, which is where the reactive power is. So, yes, in the game, kW and kVA are the same, but there is no DC reactive power, and the minimum power statistic only indicates when the machine stops receiving power, not when there is reactive power in the electrical grid.
about the "Power Overload" mod, I already tried it and it didn't convince me. It only limits the power of the poles, and when you work with GW, it's horrible.

You have forgot the most important point - what interesting add your idea to gameplay. If it just add "realism", then it adds nothing.

I don't know if it makes sense to drag this out, and my answer is: why not? It's for "fun." If you can have fun with 20 types of science packs or 500 qualities, why not with the power grid? The current power grid is simple: just increase production every 50 hours of play, and that's it.