Coal power plant

A more efficient way of generating power compared to diesel generators is a coal power plant. Coal burned in boilers turns water into steam (1). The steam then spins turbines (2), transferring mechanical energy through a shaft to connected power generators (3), which produce electricity.

Generators do not produce electricity when there is no demand; they simply ignore the mechanical energy from the shaft. However, turbines do not stop when the shaft is spinning at full power, instead, they let the steam pass through, causing some energy loss. To reduce this loss, you can attach a {0} to the mechanical shaft which will store the mechanical energy as inertia and return it when power is needed, acting like a battery.

A {0} can be used in combination with “auto-balance” toggle on turbines. When enabled, turbines will automatically turn off when the connected shaft reaches maximum inertia, and turn back on when the inertia is low. The {0} increases the total inertia of the shaft, making the system more efficient and helping prevent power loss caused by the turbines' slow startup.