Heat

Heat is an energy resource in Evospace. Heat is generated by consuming Fuel in Furnaces.

Heat is the primary energy resource and the best measure of energy efficiency for a production chain creating fuel items. For instance, a Log produces 3 heat in a furnace. Using a Macerator to turn a log into 12 Sawdust costs 1 power - about 1.1 steam, which costs about 1.1 heat to produce. Sawdust produces 2 heat each, meaning this process takes a 3-heat fuel item and 1.1 actual heat, and produces 24 heat in fuel from it. This process is efficient.

By contrast, .01 units of water can be converted into .02 Hydrogen and .01 Oxygen. This costs 1 unit of Electricity in an Electrolyzer. .05 hydrogen produces 1 heat, meaning we'd spend 5 electricity to generate 2 heat. At very best, electricity is 81% efficient - meaning it takes rough 1.25 heat via Steam to generate the Power to generate 1 electricity. Electrolyzing .05 units of water, thus, would cost at least 6.25 units of heat and produce 2. This is inefficient.

Processes can be compared this way as well.