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+--- Thread: Alternative Power Sources (/showthread.php?tid=4202)
Alternative Power Sources - IronFist - 22-03-2010 12:49 AM
I'm sure many of you have seen the expansion screenshot of the wind turbines. So I'm just throwing the questions out there-
A.) How realistic will they be?
In real life, wind turbines and many other similar energy sources (i.e. solar panels) are plagued with the issue of inconsistency- that is, they do not produce a steady power output; in fact, their output can vary quite greatly.
So, will the wind turbines have a set power output or will it vary with time, placement and conditions?
Also, wind turbines do reduce property values, so will they do the same in Tropico? Will they reduce beauty, and most (other than the beloved eco-tourist) would prefer not to see them?
B.) How many alternative energy sources will there be?
I'm sure all of you do not like all the preparation required to build the power plant (expensive to build, expensive to staff, etc...), so how many alternatives could you have?
Will you be able to build tidal dams (produce power, but limit fishing and tourism in that area); could you put solar panels on apartments, tenements or maybe even your palace (the latter would make those environmentalists love you!) ; could you have a biomass fuel plant (consumes some farm output, but the fuel can either be burned for energy or exported for $$) ; the possibilities are endless and interesting.
Thoughts/comments?
RE: Alternative Power Sources - Presidente Gerardo - 22-03-2010 08:36 PM
If simulating reality is the goal, none of these alternative energies will be cost effective. Maybe when you get to the year 2030 or so, solar could begin to pay for itself after 30 years in service, but wind and tidal would always be a losing proposition. If pollution is really bad, and your treasury is overflowing, these may make sense. If you're heavy in debt or using most of your money for expansion and social programs, they would not.
RE: Alternative Power Sources - Wardo - 22-03-2010 08:40 PM
If I had to guess I'd say they are consistent, otherwise you'd need a micromanaged standard power plant to back them up, which would be a nightmare to manage manually, a nightmare I don't think the devs would design.
There is, however, coding in the game to discern altitude and beaches, so perhaps they could have different but fixed outputs according to these criteria.
This would add some balancing: will you use your high fertile land for crops or will you occupy it with turbines? Will you develop that beach into a tourist wonder or utilize it's sea breeze for energy?
On the other hand, the wind turbines will probably be overpowered, so that you don't need to build a field of them to get as much power as from the regular power plant.