Lightning power source
Considering there is both copper and iron in the game, it only makes sense for players to be given the option to build lightning rods to redirect the lightning further away from resources and buildings. When connected to a grid, it would also double as an extremely powerful source of electricity capable of instantly charging batteries as well. This would make lightning storms a potentially important to take advantage of rather than just idling inside your house for the duration.
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AurelHighlighted comment
I find the idea of a lightning power source really cool. But since Solarpunk has a philosophy of trying to encourage technologies with a controlled impact on the environment I'm not sure this device would be ecological enough.
I think one of the reasons why we don't try this IRL is because, first it does not carry as much energy as it seems, second I think I remember reading that lightning play a role in ensuring the stability of the magnetic field of the planet (this subject is beyond my comprehension but I read about this a few times) -
yesterday
CorvusThe problem with lightning as a power source stems from physics. I know it can be handwaved for the sake of fun, but I am a physicist so hear me out.
To use lightning as a power source is to be able to channel all the energy it still carries when striking the lightning rod without melting the wires and exploding the batteries. For that, a capacitor bank and high-current high-voltage cables are needed. Otherwise, connecting a lightning rod to a grid would fry the grid.
Adding that would make it an interesting mechanic or even an additional tech level. -
yesterday
KateMaybe instead of a power source, at least add a lightning rod to control the lightning where you want.
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yesterday
Villehttps://solarpunk.featureupvote.com/suggestions/718109/comment/787028#comment787028
Frankly the ability to collect electricity from lightning storms is right within the kind of realism you'd expect from a game like this. There is already plenty of things that just plain don't exist irl such as the animal transport platforms, the laws of physics clearly don't apply here considering the whole game quite literally takes place on floating islands. So I don't really agree with you on adding another level of power cables and whatnot just to make it follow "laws of physics".