In the latest installment of Cities: Skylines II, the development team brings us exciting new features and improvements to the electricity and water services that are essential for running a successful city. This article delves into the intricacies of these vital utilities, explaining how they function, what options players have for electricity production, and how to efficiently manage water sources and sewage.
Electricity Production: From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy
Cities: Skylines II introduces a more sophisticated electricity system, where buildings connect to the electricity grid via above-ground or underground cables. Electricity production options include various power plants, each utilizing different resources to generate power. Players can choose from fossil fuel power plants, relying on coal, oil, or gas, renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, and water, or even nuclear power plants, which produce substantial electricity without pollution. With the city’s growth and changes in weather affecting electricity consumption, players need to carefully manage their power generation to meet the city’s demands.
Transformers: Low Voltage and High Voltage Electricity
In this new rendition, the game distinguishes between low voltage and high voltage electricity. Buildings in the city connect to the electric grid through low voltage cables, which have limited capacity. To transfer larger amounts of electricity from power plants, players need to use power lines for high voltage electricity. Transformer Stations come into play, converting high voltage to low voltage or vice versa, allowing electricity to be efficiently distributed throughout the city.
Power Plants Upgrades: Enhancing Efficiency
City planners can optimize their power plants through upgrades that enhance their capacity, output, and pollution levels. Each power plant type offers unique upgrades, allowing players to customize their electricity production to fit their city’s needs. For instance, the Gas Power Plant can benefit from upgrades like Storage Extension, Advanced Furnace, Exhaust Filter, and Additional Turbine, each serving specific purposes in increasing efficiency or reducing pollution.
Electricity Distribution: The Power Grid
Gone are the days of “electric zones”; Cities: Skylines II focuses on a robust power grid. Transformer Stations and power lines connect power plants to buildings, and each connection has a maximum capacity. Electricity bottlenecks may occur when an area demands more electricity than the grid can supply, causing power outages in affected buildings. To address this, city planners must build more connections, power lines, or use Transformer Stations strategically to distribute electricity evenly.
Electricity Info View: Monitoring Power Consumption
The Electricity Info View offers a comprehensive overview of the city’s electricity grid, including consumption, production, and the status of battery storage. Players can monitor electricity flow through cables and power lines and identify areas with high electricity demand. The Info View assists in managing the power network and optimizing its efficiency.
Water Sources: Surface Water and Groundwater
In addition to the revamped electricity system, Cities: Skylines II introduces a new water mechanic: groundwater reservoirs. The game retains surface water sources like rivers, lakes, and oceans, but now, players can also access underground groundwater deposits through Groundwater Pumping Stations. These groundwater sources can be an excellent alternative on maps with limited surface water areas and play a vital role in powering Geothermal Power Plants.
Water Production & Sewage: Maintaining a Clean Supply
Water production and sewage treatment are crucial to a city’s functioning. Water Pumping Stations draw water from surface water sources, while Groundwater Pumping Stations access the underground water reservoirs. Sewage Outlets pump dirty water back into surface water, necessitating careful planning to avoid contaminating clean water sources. Wastewater Treatment Plants can purify sewage, turning it into clean water that can be reused, reducing pollution and promoting sustainability.
Water Facility Upgrades: Enhancing Water Management
Water facility upgrades offer operational improvements and expanded functionalities. For example, the Groundwater Pumping Station can benefit from Advanced Filtering Systems to reduce pollutants in intake water, while the Sewage Outlet can utilize Chemical Purification to decrease water pollution. By making smart upgrades, city planners can optimize their water production and sewage treatment processes.
Water & Sewage Info View: Tracking Water Management
The Water & Sewage Info View provides essential information for managing the city’s water supply and sewage systems. Players can monitor water consumption, water availability, and sewage levels. The Info View offers visual elements, such as water and sewage pipes, pollution, and groundwater deposits, aiding city planners in making informed decisions.
As Cities: Skylines II brings new depth and complexity to electricity and water management, players are presented with exciting challenges and opportunities to create thriving, sustainable cities. So, prepare yourself for the intricacies of city planning and the joy of powering and hydrating your virtual metropolis! Share your thoughts on the upcoming Cities: Skylines II features in the comments below, and stay tuned for the next development diary covering maps and landscapes!
Cities: Skylines II: Enhanced Transportation, Parks, Communications, Landscaping, and Upgrades
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5
