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How Much Coal Does a Coal Generator Use?

Published in Power Generation 3 mins read

A single Coal Generator uses 15 coal per minute to operate efficiently and produce power.

Understanding the resource consumption of a Coal Generator is crucial for setting up a sustainable and efficient power infrastructure, especially in games like Satisfactory where resource management is key. Beyond coal, these generators also require a steady supply of water to function.

Key Resource Consumption and Output

To produce its maximum power output, a standard Coal Generator has specific requirements for both fuel and water.

  • Coal Consumption: Each generator requires 15 units of coal per minute. This rate is constant when the generator is operating at full capacity.
  • Water Consumption: In addition to coal, a Coal Generator needs 45 cubic meters of water per minute. This water is typically supplied by Water Extractors or other fluid transport systems.
  • Power Output: When provided with sufficient coal and water, a single Coal Generator generates 75 megawatts (MW) of power.

Here's a quick summary of a single Coal Generator's performance:

Resource/Output Amount Per Minute Unit
Coal Used 15 units
Water Used 45 cubic meters
Power Produced 75 megawatts

Optimizing Your Coal Generator Setup

Efficiently powering your factories with Coal Generators involves careful planning of resource extraction and transportation.

1. Coal Supply Management

With each generator consuming 15 coal per minute, scaling your coal mining operation is essential. For instance, a single Mk.2 Conveyor Belt can transport up to 120 coal per minute. This means a single Mk.2 belt can supply:

  • 8 Coal Generators: (120 coal/min ÷ 15 coal/min per generator = 8 generators)

This insight allows for the planning of compact and efficient power plants, minimizing the number of belts and maximizing output per footprint.

2. Water Supply Solutions

Water is just as critical as coal. To meet the 45 cubic meters per minute demand per generator, you'll need reliable water sources.

  • Water Extractors: These are the primary means of obtaining water from lakes or rivers. A single Water Extractor typically produces 120 cubic meters of water per minute.
  • Pipeline Flow: Pipelines are used to transport water. Be mindful of their maximum flow rates (e.g., a standard pipeline can transport 300 m³/min) to ensure adequate supply to multiple generators.

A common setup might involve one Water Extractor supplying two to three Coal Generators, depending on over/underclocking and pipeline efficiency. For example:

  • 1 Water Extractor (120 m³/min) can perfectly supply 2.66 Coal Generators (2 45 = 90 m³/min, 3 45 = 135 m³/min). It's often practical to build one Water Extractor for every two or three generators and balance the flow.

3. Power Grid Stability

While Coal Generators offer a stable power source, it's wise to monitor your power grid. Over-consuming power or experiencing resource shortages (coal or water) can lead to power outages. Integrating power storage solutions like Power Storages can help buffer demand spikes.

By meticulously planning your coal and water logistics, you can create a robust and reliable power network to fuel your expanding industrial empire. For more detailed information on specific game mechanics or advanced power generation, resources like the Satisfactory Wiki offer extensive guides and community insights.