Energy banks

Overview

The energy in the energy banks of a vessel can be regarded as its life-blood, once it runs out the ship will die. On every ship the HUD will have indicators to display the levels of energy available. All equipment is powered by these banks, including the Shields, which contribute a considerable drain. When the shields are depolarised, more damage will cause a massive loss of power as the ship's systems short out. Fortunately the banks are recharged continuously by the Engine Main Drive turbines.

There are two important matters to consider when buying a new ship: how many energy banks are there - and how quickly do they recharge? The Cobra MkIII is one of the best ships available in the Vanilla game in this respect. It is excelled in both number and recharge rate only by the police Viper Interceptor. The Escape Pod is the worst (one energy bank, slow recharge). See the OoliteRS.pdf (Reference Sheets) which came in your original game download: it contains details of the other Vanilla game ships with these details.

Upgrading to the best

Extra Energy Units with improved efficiency to standard units can be purchased at medium to high tech (level 8) starports, and will set you back a handsome 1500.0 creds. This will greatly improve your recharge rate, and thus your ability to maintain your shields in combat.

New developments

What Spaceship? featured an article in the last edition about developments at a Naval research base, based on various stolen papers. Said papers were delivered anonymously to the editors of WS?. Judging from the usually airtight security at the Naval base in question, the thieves must have been professionals (possibly insiders)? The motivation behind the 'donation' is unknown to the WS? editorial team: "Maybe they were Starship Otaku" quipped Matt Yellow, an amphibian reporter of WS?

According to the specs What Spaceship? mentions, this Naval Energy Unit is far superior in efficiency to current high-end civilian energyflux-rechargers.

Navy officials were not available for comment.

Links

• Extra Energy Unit (EEU) is not an .oxp but optional equipment from the Vanilla game.
• Oolite spacecraft energy vs Classic Elite spacecraft energy (2007) The disparities

Handwavium

• How does my Cobra's energy supply work? (2020-21)

OXP's

• Energy Equipment OXP provides extra batteries of energy (for a price) for emergencies
• NavalGrid OXP provides two upgrades (civilian & naval) to the energy bus linking the energy units to the Shields.
• Energy Rebalance rebalances energy between shields and energy banks: boosting the depleted shield (unless vital energy is too low when it boosts that instead).
• QTHI Auxiliary Energy Generators OXP choice of 4 different generators providing energy from Quirium fuel.
• Quantum Vacuum Energy Generator by Slartibartfast (2022): breakable equipment taking up some cargo space.

The following OXPs all make the game harder (and more realistic).

• Breakable Energy Unit OXP allows your Energy Units to be disabled by a direct hit in combat
• Hard Way uses up fuel to recharge the energy stack and power the ship's engines, life support etc.
• NPC Energy Units OXP helps even the playing field for the NPCs (see Cheating! for more details)

• Ship Configuration OXP allows installment of different versions (or even extra units) of energy equipment. A very complex .oxp in its effects.

Oolite Equipment Standard Equipment Astrogation Console • Cargo Hold • Compass • Energy banks • Engine/Main Drive • HUD • IFF Scanner • Life Support Systems • Missile • Pulse Laser • Shields • Ship's Hull • Torus Jump Drive • View Screen • Witchspace/Hyperspace Drive Optional Equipment Advanced Navigational Array • Advanced Space Compass • Cargo Bay Expansion • Docking Computers • E.C.M. System • Escape Pod • Extra Energy Unit • External Heat Shielding • Fuel Scoops • Galactic Hyperdrive • Integrated Targeting System • Military Shield Enhancement • Multi-Targeting System • Naval Energy Unit • Passenger Berth • Scanner Targeting Enhancement • Shield Boosters • Target System Memory Expansion • Witchdrive Fuel Injectors • Wormhole Scanner Weapons Beam Laser • ECM Hardened Missile • Energy Bomb • Military Laser • Mining Laser • Missile • Pulse Laser • Quirium Cascade Mine • Twin Plasma Cannon