Space Power Transmitter

Adds Space Power Transmitter that links any planet or space platform - even a moving one - to the common space power grid: bidirectional energy transfer through space over any distance, rationed by demand. Draws a constant upkeep to hold the link (600 MW by default, less at higher quality); the link drops if the local network cannot supply it and restores automatically once it can. Can be unlocked on Aquilo.

New technologies

• Space Power Transmitter (2500 of each science pack), unlocks after:
  • Cryogenic science pack (researchable on Aquilo);

New entities

• Space Power Transmitter:
  • Intended to be played in the late game;
  • Production is expensive (crafted in the electromagnetic plant);
  • Connects the local power network of its surface to the common space power grid;
  • Energy flows in both directions between all linked surfaces of the force - through space, over any distance (moving space platforms included);
  • Energy is rationed proportionally to demand when production falls short (upkeep first, machines second);
  • Throughput is capped at ~60 GW per transmitter: the hidden import port holds a 1 GJ buffer that is refilled once per tick, so one transmitter pair can transfer at most 60 GW - add more transmitters on the network for more power;
  • Draws a constant upkeep to hold the link (600 MW by default; uncommon, rare, epic and legendary quality draw 5/6, 4/6, 3/6 and 1/6 of that value);
  • If the local network cannot supply the upkeep, the link drops (a custom alert with a map pin is raised); it recovers from local generation only and relinks automatically once enough power is available again;
  • Can be wired into a circuit network: broadcasts its link status as virtual signals - spt-link-up is 1 while the link is healthy, spt-link-failing is 1 while the upkeep is not being paid (the link drops within seconds), and both absent means the link is down;
  • Supports a circuit "Enable if" condition (panel beside the transmitter's window): while it is false the transmitter is off - no link, no upkeep drain; the condition transfers with the copy-paste tool and in blueprints;
  • Weighs one ton: exactly one transmitter fits per rocket;

Additional features

• Upkeep power is configurable in settings (6 MW - 1 GW, set in kilowatts; changing it requires a restart);
• Quality tiers reduce the upkeep drain;
• The transmitter itself is a pure node: all grid mechanics run through hidden internal ports (visible in the electric network GUI as "Space Power Transmitter" entries); the ports are dynamic-priority interfaces, so they do not inflate the network's battery capacity;
• The transmitter can be freely deconstructed and moved; the link state survives saving, loading and mod updates (a force change rebuilds the link);

Existing saves

• Mod does not change vanilla entity or item properties;
• Safe to add to an existing save; removing the mod drops all links (banked energy is not refunded);
• Mod is mostly safe for using with existing save but it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to make backup before installing OR updating mod version;

Compatibility

• Requires Factorio: Space Age (base >= 2.1.22 and space-age >= 2.1.22);
• Works well with Quality mod;

Credits

The graphics are taken from the Orbital Interlink mod by Kubius.

Check other mods

• Thruster Upgrades
• Nuclear Thruster
• Useful Cerys methane gas applications
• Modular Nuclear Reactor

Contacts

Would be glad to get suggestions for further mod improvements, bugfixes, etc. on my GitHub: factorio-mod-space-power-transmitter.