Energy System

⚡ Energy System (mbe-energy)

Important

The Energy System is NOT part of the MultiBlockEngine core. It is an independent addon (mbe-energy) that relies on the mbe-wiring framework to function. It communicates with the core engine exclusively via the MBEServiceRegistry.

The Energy System is a specialized layer built on top of the Wiring System. It provides a standard way to handle power production, consumption, and storage across your multiblock machines.

🏗️ Components

1. Energy Producers

Producers generate energy (e.g., Solar Panels, Generators).

• Rate: How much energy they produce per tick.
• Buffer: Internal storage before pushing to the network.

2. Energy Consumers

Consumers use energy to perform tasks (e.g., Electric Furnaces, Miners).

• Demand: How much they need to operate.
• Behavior: What happens when they run out of power? (e.g., State changes to INACTIVE).

3. Energy Storage

Storage modules (Batteries, Capacitors) hold energy for later use.

• Capacity: Maximum energy they can hold.
• I/O Rate: How fast they can charge or discharge.

🔌 Energy Networks

When producers and consumers are connected via ENERGY type cables (provided by mbe-wiring), they form an Energy Network.

• Distribution: The addon automatically distributes power from producers to consumers.
• Priority: Certain machines can be given higher priority for power.

🔍 Network Diagnostics

Use the Multimeter Tool (mbe:multimeter) on any energy node or port to view real-time statistics:

• Stored Energy / Capacity: Current buffer level.
• Net Flow Rate: Power input vs output per tick across the connected energy graph.
• Producer / Consumer Breakdown: Detailed listing of connected energy nodes.

🧱 YAML Integration

While complex power logic is often handled by Java addons, you can define basic energy variables and reactions entirely in YAML using standard ECA rules:

id: electric_furnace
variables:
  energy_stored: 0
  energy_capacity: 10000

actions:
  on_tick:
    - type: conditional
      conditions:
        - type: variable
          key: energy_stored
          value: 10
          comparison: GREATER_OR_EQUAL
      then:
        # Perform work and consume energy
        - type: modify_variable
          key: energy_stored
          operation: SUBTRACT
          amount: 10

💻 Developer API

Accessing the energy system in Java requires injecting the exposed EnergyService:

@InjectService
private EnergyService energyService;

public void chargeMachine(MultiblockInstance instance, double amount) {
    EnergyStorage storage = energyService.getStorage(instance);
    storage.receiveEnergy(amount, false);
}