Energy/Power system

Let me first elaborate on the flaws of the current energy system in Clonk:

• Directionality: Power lines possess the properties of a diode, i.e. only energy can flow from the first connected object to the second connected object. First of all, this makes no sense. Secondly in hard scenarios where power generators are likely to be destroyed once in a while, repairing complex systems will end up in a mess and can take up to one hour of work.


• Power plant: The least used building in Clonk. Why? Because it can not be incorperated in the current power system. It burns fuels unnecessary, and it will stay this way if we keep the current system.


• Engine internal: The current power system is partly engine internal, by the use of two functions CheckEnergyNeedChain and EnergyCheck. This is in my opinion not needed.


• Use of Physicals: Energy of buildings is stored in the Physical "Energy", which is also used for the Clonk's hitpoints. Somewhat strange, and it is just more clear to store this in a local variable.

Now I will propose an alternative system which will not use engine internal functions. It uses two scripts which contain all basic functionalities. One script for power generators and one script for power consumers. There is also the powerline which is only used to determine whether two objects are connected. both scripts should be included into either the power generator or the power consumer. 

The power generator script has the following properties:

• A local variable iPower, this is the current amount of power stored in the generator.

And some functions to modify iPower:

• IsPowerGenerator(), returns whether the object is a power generator.


• GetCapacity(), returns the amount of the power that can be stored in the generator.


• GetGeneratorPriority(), returns the generator's priority, consumers preferably drain from generators with the highest priority.


• IsPowerGeneratorFor(object pConsumer, object pNext, object pOldLine), Returns whether the objects is a power genarator connected to pConsumer.


• GetPower(), returns the current power level of the object.


• SetPower(int iSetPower), sets the current power level of the object to iSetPower.


• DoPower(int iDoPower),  adds iDoPower to the current power level of the object.

Power generators can fill their storage with SetPower or DoPower in action calls of their power generating activities.

The power consumer script has the following properties:

• IsPowerConsumer(), returns whether the object is a power generator.


• CheckPower(int iPowerCheck, bool fNoSubstract), returns true and substracts iPowerCheck if there is enough energy available in a connected generator, otherwise false. This function will start displaying the energy need symbol when false, and stop doing this when true. This function uses FindPowerGenerator to find a connected generator.


• Find_PowerGenerator(object pConsumer), function compatible with FindObjects, finds all generators connected to pConsumer.


• Sort_GeneratorPriority(), function compatible with FindObjects, sorts all generators according to their priority.

Power consumers must use CheckPower to check whether a power consuming activity can be sustained.

The powerline is used to connect objects using the power system, it has three public functions:

• IsPowerLine(), returns whether the object is a power line.


• IsConnectedWith(object pObject), returns true if pObject is connected with the powerline, otherwise false.


• GetConnectedObject(object pObject), returns the object at the other end of the line, where pObject defines this end of the line.

An example:
We have the following scheme: Elevator====Windmill====Powerplant====Sawmill

• Both the windmill and the power plant will fill up their storages with DoPower() calls in their activities, the powerplant will stop its activity when its storage is full.


• If one starts operating the elevator, CheckPower calls will find the windmill(if it has enough power in its storage) and will substract power from it.


• If one starts operating the sawmill, CheckPower calls will find the windmill(if it has enough power in its storage) and will substract power from it.


• In both cases the windmill will be found, since it has the higher priority, consumer will drain only from this until there is more need than power sustained by the mill. Then the plant will be used as a backup.

Edit: Changed to the system Günther proposed(more or less), which cures some problems addressed in posts by Newton.

This can all be checked out in the attached file Power.c4d. The power producers are working good, the consumers I just reworked to get them working, they must be scripted better in OC.

P.S. Power in the function names is not correct, it should be energy. But this is already used.

I hereby license my work contained in Power.c4s under the ISC license.

Perhaps we will add a strategic/war idea on energy idea.

First idea : Use a object (like a parasite cable) for send the energy to a... other utilisator. A parasited energy system will have a special icon and is simple to destroy the parasite, go buy a wire cutter and... cut. Or surchage, more evil but don't forgot to cut the old cable...

Second idea : Like in EPIC mod, make wire cutter can destroy energy cables, a clonk infiltrate in ennemy fortress can cut off energy cables for make a big mess. Can also be make with a elevator (the elevator will fall down) and a pomp (the liquid will flood where the drain pipe is cutted)

Third idea : Surchage, is a strange idea, but some strategic, u see a windmill, and a cable, with some special stuff, u will use a surchage on the windmill, is make a huge and damaging energy who will cross the cable trought all the stuff on the way, like if the windmill send his energy to a workshop, if player surchage, a lighting-like energy ray will go to the workshop (very very very fast, like a lighning), all the clonks inside will lose random energy, or will die (all the damages random, a lucky clonk can destroy all, a unlucky clonk can kill itself), the production will lose material, or can be destroyed, the bulding will lose energy, take fire (but like the reworked fire system) or explode...

But more, if the bulding have the windmill to urgency system, and he have a liaison to a real energy system, is armadegon, the energy ray will electrocute all clonks on his way, damage buldings and make energy systems explose.

But, surchage the energy system of a opponent will take about 1 min, the surchage will not be succesfull all times and what is the result, the surchage stuff will be used... and the principal stuff is a player who see a guy try to make a surchage will try to cut off the energy bulding used for suchage, or just make a headshot !

Fourth idea : Energy pole, like telegraphic poles but with energy. Can be cutted with a wire (dangerous), with a axe (less dangerous) or a atombomb (don't try...), can relay energy on a huge map to a colony from the first town !

Final idea : Cut in water the cable will make water dangerous around (but in a limited area, no way to think u can make a sea electrified) and make the cable can't be reworked !

Ok, is more for war, but is good ideas no ?

Or settlement things if u like more.

Use the energys poles

(I copy/paste :D)

Fourth idea : Energy pole, like telegraphic poles but with energy. Can create a strategic/settle use, like u are on a floodable spot, or u have no more place for energy, u will spot a good place (like a air island, a hill top where the wind is more efficient or create near a charbon drill.

The problem today is when u are too far from energy maker ur cable can't relay.

So i think to energy poles.

Pros :

- Help players on very unstable maps.
- Stop the so problemly full rope limit.
- Can create a energy settlement away from the principal place for earn space.

Cons :

- Can create abuses.
- Will be really difficult to create with the telegraphic pole concept.
- Can be expensive in constrution kit in other way.
- Also expensive in ropes.
- A explosive object on and all break...
- Is will be difficult to know where is the rope limit, can make errors !