Energy Sources

Before the Aurora mission arrived at Hemera, the probe Proioxis first entered orbit and began the terraforming process in advance of the colonist ship. One of its first actions was to deploy solar satellites, which would collect and store solar energy for use by the AI and its robotics. Upon Aurora's arrival and the advance team's subsequent landing, collection bases were built on the surface to receive energy transfers from the satellites in the form of microwave rays, then convert it to electricity. More satellites and ground stations were built, and, for the first few centuries of Hemera's history, these were the planet's primary power sources.

The Global War of 458 HE drastically changed life on Hemera. Prior to the war, solar satellites had begun to fail due to the lack of resources and funding for repair and replacement. Messembria began to push for a renewal of the space program, but Elysian distrust and a desire gain more control over the planet's science and technology led to a horrific war. Things quickly escalated far beyond the original intent. Radicals took over the war effort, and they began to destroy far more than they ever attempted to control. By the time Elysia was finally forced to surrender (by a nuclear bomb to one of their more populous northern cities), many satellites had been shot out of the sky, the starship Aurora was a crippled husk, and launch sites and rocket fuel refineries across the world had been destroyed. It would be centuries before Hemerans could return to orbit, and in the meantime, new sources of power were urgently needed.

A variety of energy sources were tried, but most power on Hemera is now supplied via Kappel Reactor, a type of relatively compact, efficient cold fusion reactor. It isn't as cheap or efficient as solar satellites, but larger cities in particular get most of their power from this type of energy. A portion of energy production, especially in smaller communities and rural areas, comes from wind farms, ground-based solar, and sometimes geothermal energy, depending on what is most practical in a given locale. Fossil fuels are rare on Hemera and are not considered a viable energy source, although biofuels are sometimes used. Most vehicles are electric, relying on charging stations rather than combustible fuel.

Overall, energy production is more or less sufficient to Hemera's current needs, although in recent decades a renewed attempt to reach orbit began. The project looked promising, and several unmanned surveys and orbital flights had been successfully achieved. A few new solar satellites were launched, while a handful of ground stations were being repaired, and a small number of communications satellites were put into orbit as well – but then Erebos arrived, and everything changed.