EPS system
The electro-plasma system (also called EPS, "electro-plasma distribution network," or "plasma grid") is the primary form of energy distribution on Federation starships and space station.
The technology is based on storing energy in a highly energetic plasma, "electro-plasma," and distributing it throughout the ship via plasma conduits, called EPS conduits. EPS conduits usually start at a matter-antimatter reaction assembly, also called the warp core, where matter is converted to energy, and extend to all areas of a ship. Plasma conduit power levels are regulated by plasma coolant ducts, and monitored by plasma conversion sensors.
On a starship the EPS conduits branch off from the power transfer conduits. Because a space station doesn’t have warp nacelles, and thus no need for power transfer conduits, the EPS conduits branch off right off an EPS hub.
Various EPS taps are placed on the conduits throughout the ship to enable other systems to access electro-plasma wherever it is needed. From the EPS taps, the energy is distributed through conventional electricity; however, this conversion often occurs deep inside the components of a subsystem. Some systems use plasma distribution manifolds (or plasma manifolds, for short) to manage the power conversion level.
Electro-plasma can also be bled off into plasma canisters or a plasma infuser for mobile use as an energy source.
Typically a ship will have a primary and secondary EPS. This is a built in redundancy in case one of the systems fail. Another redundancy in the system is that this system can be powered from three different locations:
- The warp drive system
- The impulse drive system
- In times of emergency, the auxiliary fusion generators.
The EPS system also has the ability to act as a step-down transformer, reducing the amount of energy for devices requiring a lower input.
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