As a long-time Satisfactory engineer with over 500 hours played, I‘ve designed my fair share of factory complexes. But few projects exemplify optimization and scalability like my compacted 20 gigawatt modular fuel generator array. In this guide, I‘ll walk you through how to build this power plant step-by-step, while sharing the core insights and best practices I‘ve learned along the way.
Why Every Engineer Needs This Setup
Before we get hands-on, let me start by explaining why I believe every factory should include a fuel generator system based on the blueprint I‘ll be outlining here.
First and foremost, it generates an immense amount of power – 20 GW is enough to kickstart even the most ambitious mega factories. And because it‘s modular, you can easily scale production up by duplicating sections as your energy demands grow.
Second, the design minimizes the number of oil extractors needed. By optimizing for efficiency, a single pure node can feed the full 20 GW plant. That leaves more precious oil reserves available to route towards plastic/rubber production.
Finally, because the plant consolidates oil processing, fuel production, and power generation all in one space-efficient platform, it avoids needing lengthy conveyor lines or pipelines. Materials transition smoothly from one machine to the next, minimizing bottlenecks.
So in summary – extreme power density, expandability, resource efficiency, and tight integration. That‘s what makes this fuel generator design a must-have inclusion for any high-performing Satisfactory factory.
Choosing an Ideal Build Location
When deciding where to construct your new power plant, there are a few key factors to consider:
Oil Access: First and foremost, make sure you have a pure crude oil node reasonably accessible. As mentioned, you only need one to feed the full setup. But proximity is still important to minimize pipeline lengths.
Water Access: Some water will be necessary as well to allow blending of fuel locally. Having a normal or pure water source within 300-400 meters is ideal.
Terrain Flatness: You‘ll want a large flat plateau or plain to build on. Layering foundations gets expensive fast. Give yourself 50×50 meters or more of open space to work with.
Expandability: Consider areas where you can access multiple nearby oil nodes. That will allow easily tacking on more generator sections later to scale up power substantially.
I‘d recommend scouting out locations that meet all the above criteria using drones and vehicles before breaking ground. Once an ideal site is identified, you‘re ready start construction!
Laying the Foundations
The first step is laying down an initial 22×27 foundation footprint on your pre-flattened terrain. Be sure to leave a 1 foundation gap border on all sides for aesthetics and to give you space to navigate.
On the 27 foundation side, delete a 3×10 section from the middle to create a space for water extractors. We‘ll pipe water in from off-site using this gap.
Next, on one 22 length side, extend the foundations by an additional 8×11 area. This extension will house the oil refineries and fuel blenders needed to supply our generators.
Here is an overhead diagram of how the foundation layout should look at this stage:
Take care to follow these dimensions exactly – spacing is meticulously optimized here to pack the most machines into the smallest footprint. That efficiency multiplies dramatically when duplicated across sections.
With flooring placed, we‘re now ready start placing our oil production and processing equipment.
Extracting and Transporting Oil
The next key task is getting crude oil pumped in from our chosen node and distributed across our build area.
Start by placing a single oil extractor directly over the node, ensuring >50% overlap for maximum throughput. I typically center it visually and have had great results.
Funnel the output to an adjacent fluid buffer tank to handle excess, then run 8" pipelines along the edges of foundations. You may need multiple buffers if your node is far away.
Eventually pipe everything to a row of buffers on the far end from the refinery area. This both stores surplus and pressurizes the line.
Pro Tip: Use flow indicators along the line to monitor rate. Target at least 150 oil/min to supply 20 GW setup! Underclock if needed.
Feel free to use my tower design shown above to traverse tricky terrain or impassable obstacles. Once your line reaches the foundation perimeter, you‘re ready to start refining oil into fuel.
Blending Fuel On-Site
The 8×11 extension area we created earlier is perfectly sized to accommodate the refineries, water extractors and blenders required to produce fuel for all our generators.
First, lay down 4 oil refineries in a line across the 11 foundation length. Bring over pipes from your main bus and feed oil into the refineries.
Next, place another row of 17 blenders perpendicular to the refineries. Their inputs and outputs should align perfectly.
Run pipe connections from the refineries into the blenders, then place 6 water extractors against the back wall. Feed water lines into extractors.
Finally, belt the fuel line off the end back towards the main platform. I suggest terminating it at another fluid buffer tank before distributing to generators.
With this setup, you can produce a full 600 turbofuel per minute – more than enough to power over 200 fuel generators! We‘ll tap a fraction of that capacity for now.
Dividing Platform into Generator Sections
The central 18×27 platform will house our actual power generation units – the fuel generators.
First, delete foundations to divide it into 4 sections. Our basic module, which I‘ll call a power "cell", consists of 34 generators on each long side – 68 total.
We‘ll install 4 cells initially, but more can be easily added by just duplicating the blueprint later on.
Here‘s what one cell looks like – note the generators evenly spaced on the edges, leaving room to navigate inside:
Now here are some best practices when placing your generators:
- Leave 2-3 foundations spacing between walls and generators for pipe clearance
- Make pathways 3 foundations wide for walking/driving access
- Face all generators inward so outputs align
Stick to these guidelines, and you‘ll have a power plant that‘s as functional as it is visually stunning when finished.
Connecting Fuel Pipelines
The next task is piping fuel from our refinery area out to each of our generator cells.
I recommend constructing an "H"-shaped main pipeline along the inside edges of foundations. Place junctions periodically to make connecting easier.
Run feeder lines inward from this main pipeline to attach to generators. Remember – inputs are on the shorter back side, outputs on longer front.
Complete piping for one cell at a time. I prefer working left to right, completing both levels before advancing. Just be 100% sure to hook up both floors before firing them up!
As you expand power production, extend main pipelines further and keep adding T-junctions to tap additional feeder lines wherever needed.
Here‘s roughly what your fuel piping should look like once your first cell is fully piped:
Powering Up and Expanding
Alright, the moment of truth – flipping the switch on our very first fuel generator cell!
I suggest running power lines up from the lower floor first, so you can stand on foundations while wiring ceiling connections. Keep lines square and symmetrical.
Once everything looks connected, head down to the first generator placed and click it on! If all goes well, 68 will roar to life simultaneously. Congrats – that‘s 5 GW online!
I recommend cable running power over to supply one cell at a time. This prevents overload issues as more generators come online.
Just repeat the fuel line, generator placement and power pole steps three more times to deploy the full 20 GW setup! It really is extremely quick thanks to the modular design.
As demands increase down the road, simply make additional adjacent cells! You can leapfrog power connections diagonally to maintain reliability as well. The potential scale is limitless.
Eventually, you can bring over pipes from other distant oil nodes and balance production across nodes. This prevents any one from becoming overloaded.
Here‘s a final look at my sprawling power plant nearing completion – I hope it inspires you visualize the potential!
Troubleshooting Tips
Before wrapping up, I want to provide some quick troubleshooting tips for potential issues you may encounter:
Generators Not Running: First double check fuel is flowing through entire pipeline system. Unhook/reconnect generators to force re-detection.
Fuel Shortages: Usually caused by bottlenecks in part of the long pipeline. Check for balancing issues or clogs. Upgrade to mk2 as needed.
Power Grid Overloads: If adding more cells causes failures, rebuild grid spreading load across multiple roots. Delete and replace connections to reset.
Other Factories Losing Power: Make sure you didn‘t tap grid in parallel causing reversal. Add junction cutoffs and alternate feed line sides.
Hopefully these tips help minimize headaches! Don‘t hesitate to drop a comment below if any problems persist.
Key Takeaways
Well there you have it engineers – everything you need to construct your very own optimized, scalable fuel generator power plant in Satisfactory!
Here are the core lessons to take with you:
- A single normal oil node can generate 20+ gigawatts of power when properly utilized
- Efficiency comes from spacing components tightly and minimizing conveyor lengths
- Build modularly, allowing rapid expansion without compromising reliability
- Create overflow buffers and oversupply fuel to operate generously below capacity
- Divide and balance power grid roots across generator sets to prevent overload
I hope this guide serves you well on your Satisfactory journey! Let me know if you have any other questions. Now get out there, start building, and power that mega factory!