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https://preview.redd.it/mcpr3ifwewh41.jpg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a00aa57683bcaa9c2b47427f0a264946209e7a0

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I stumbled upon a quite satisfactory coal power plant setup last night while building out my third power node, and I wanted to share it with the rest of you. Since the new update launched I have been building five pumps and splitting them into two pipelines of 2.5 extractors each to max out the 300m3/s flow rate of each pipeline supplying 6 generators each. This worked, but was ugly and annoying to build. So taking liberal inspiration from some of the amazing coal power screenshots I've seen over the past couple days I came up with a good layout and setup that works perfect for maximizing efficiency and minimizing my OCD.

The goal was to minimize build effort and requirements while optimizing efficieny of water consumption to power output. Thus we want to build the foundations right at water level to prevent the need for pumps. Another realization was that flipping the generators around to be 'backwards' when walking down the middle row gives direct access to the pipe inputs from water extractors positioned on the edges of the platform, minimizing the need for pipes or liquid buffers. My previous attempts with coal and pipes running down the middle got messy quick, and required water buffer tanks at the top of the line.

The real breakthrough came when I realized the weird 45m3/s water consumption rate of coal generators was meant to be overclocked. If we use one powershard each to overclock to 145% we get exactly 60m/s of water consumption, which makes each extractor supply the perfect amount of water for two generators with no underused capacity or multiple pipeline merging needed! Coincidentally this puts the coal consumption rate at full burn at 21.75 coal/min, which for 12 generator comes out to 261 coal/min or just under the max rate of one t3 belt. And each generator produces almost exactly 100 MWH of power. Handy.

Plus it looks sexy.

TLDR: 1 Extractor, 0 pumps, 2 generators overclocked to 145% = satisfaction