Geothermal Engine

The Geothermal Engine is a static power-generating building that must be placed on a Geothermal Field. It produces continuous electric power without workers, doors, fuel, or a path connection. Once built on a valid geothermal tile the engine supplies power all day, every day, making it a reliable backbone for any settlement's electricity needs.

Construction requires Science and wood; the overall research cost is low relative to other power technologies, reflecting the building's straightforward utility. Each Geothermal Engine provides a fixed output of 400 hp, which is a useful but not enormous amount of power. Because the engine requires no maintenance or input, it removes the logistical overhead associated with fuel-based generators and reduces the need to assign workers to power production.

• Geothermal Engines can only be placed on Geothermal Field tiles. Confirm the terrain before planning placement.
• They do not require workers, doors, or path connections; place them directly on the field and connect to your power grid with cables as needed.
• Prioritize Geothermal Engines if your starting area contains several accessible Geothermal Fields; multiple engines stack to provide significant steady power with virtually no upkeep.
• Consider the opportunity cost: Science and wood spent unlocking and building a Geothermal Engine might sometimes be better allocated to other early priorities if geothermal tiles are distant or scarce.
• Use Geothermal Engines to free up labor and fuel resources for other production chains, especially in later stages when you want stable, low-maintenance power for industry and automation.

Visually the engine occupies the geothermal tile and integrates with the power network via cables. Because it generates constant power without inputs, it is particularly valuable for powering critical infrastructure that must run uninterrupted.