Electricity
Electricity is a new useable form of energy introduced in version 1.4.
Appearance
Electricity isn't an item that can be carried. The only time it's visible is when it's being conducted along copper wire. At those times, it's shown as small, cyan "packets" moving along the wire.
Generation
There are two sources and one storage method for electricity. A Steam Generator or Solar Panel will each create electricity. A Flywheel will store electricity that comes to it and supply it to connected crafting surfaces that need it.
Each of the above has as part of its block graphic a series of eight small "indicators" on the left side. For the steam generator or flywheel, it shows how much total power the unit can supply before it's drained. For a solar panel, it shows how much power it can generate based on conditions.
Use
Electricity will only flow between connected crafting surfaces. This is possible by having them adjacent (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) or by a continuous series of copper wire between them. Note that crafting surfaces will not conduct current to other crafting surfaces (except for the flywheel, which is actually a special type of generator).
The following crafting surfaces require electricity to function:
- Electric Stove
- Electric Kiln
- Electric Furnace
- Electric Metalwork Bench
- Flywheel (stores electricity)
These crafting surfaces craft all items craftable at their non-electric counterparts (plus two more for the electric furnace) with the same required items (with one exception), but instead of using fuel directly, they must have a supply of electricity.
Notes
Due to how they interact, using electric crafting surfaces makes more efficient use of fuel. Crafting using electric crafting surfaces takes half the time it would take to craft the same items on the non-electric versions. Some craftings may also require less materials.