Idle Nuclear reactor

[Ext.]

So now that 0.15 is here I noticed something with steam engines (both regular and nuclear)
Before my steam engines would always run, but now my solar panel array is sufficiently good enough to support my base (around 140MW of avg usage - 18GJ of accumulated charge). So the steam engines go idle. Coal doesn't get burn. I don't mind the regular steam engines.

But now with nuclear engines, even when idle, the reactor will still burn cell fuel in order to stay hot. Kinda sucks considering how long it takes to get U235.

Sometimes my consumption will spike to over 230MW when my base is fully on. At that point all the steam engines will run.


my 2 cents.

[Diviance]

Well, I mean, you don't just "turn off" nuclear reactors.... that isn't how the technology functions. It isn't like steam, where you are simply heating up water with fire.

Consider it a bit of realism, kinda sorta. You need some kind of trade off for the tech, otherwise why use anything else considering the vast difference in space usage and power provided?

[nou 死神]

Yeah turning off reactor takes weeks in real world. You insert control rods and that stop primary reactions practicly immediatly. But during normal operation there are created short lived byproducts which further decay and release heat. This is what ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up in Fukushima. The rods were inserted immeditly during earth quake but lack of cooling from decay heat caused partial meltdown.

Also nuclear powerplants are designed to be turned on 100% power all the time and provide base power suuply. The fluctuations during day are covered by coal, gas and hydro power plants.

[Ext.]

Yes I guess it makes sense.
Just wanted to let people know for those using existing bases with huge solar array.

[JoeWhizer]

In addition to what has been said already, from what I see in some videos the reactor doesn't seem to produce pollution, neither the heat exchangers do. So the main reason for using solar power, simply to prevent or highly reduce pollution, seems obsolete with nuclear power.

[fst911]

Originally posted by JoeWhizer:

In addition to what has been said already, from what I see in some videos the reactor doesn't seem to produce pollution, neither the heat exchangers do. So the main reason for using solar power, simply to prevent or highly reduce pollution, seems obsolete with nuclear power.

Solar energy - green energy! Use solar safe planet! Don't waste resource on whims... XD

In ~early game, i love building observer outposts with solar energy and radars...


IRL energy accumulation(for smooth day/night difference) big problem... (in some case energy night price may be virtually negative)

I don't build reactor in 0.15, but even with simple steam engine setup, i prefer collecting heated steam in cisterns, and run steam engines only if accumulator charge fall under 25%, and stop after full charging and cisterns refilled.

Cisterns just big cheap accumulator (=

[AlexMBrennan]

Cisterns just big cheap accumulator

The big part sure is correct because nine (3x3) steel chest full of coal contains a lot more energy than a cistern full of hot water/steam (i.e. pre-burnt coal)

[fst911]

Originally posted by AlexMBrennan:

Cisterns just big cheap accumulator

The big part sure is correct because nine (3x3) steel chest full of coal contains a lot more energy than a cistern full of hot water/steam (i.e. pre-burnt coal)

Yes, but in my case steam "accumulators" best way. As allow change boiler vs steam engine ration. To small peak pollution generation, and big steam shoulder to support factory time to time.