Now that I've gotten pretty much everything I wanted include into the mod (at least, everything that is possible with the current version of DF) and I've gone and jumped in bed with DFHack, I've been thinking of trying to implement a different method of powering workshops (specifically: chemistry and smelting/machining) via DFHack, rather than just consuming coke/coal or taking a fuel rod. Instead of that, what I'm thinking is that the powered workshops will be powered with the same method as screw pumps and mills (though requiring a significantly higher input.) Plasma lathes will be phased out and regular lathes will require no fuel, only power. If I embark on this course of action, I'll also add three new power-generating buildings based on DFHack's steam engine that provide large amounts of power sufficient to meet the needs of workshops. One will take fuel, the other will have to be built on an undigabble stone type called "geothermal vent" and the third will take a fuel rod and periodically generate clouds of deadly radiation. That's all assuming modifying stuff from DFHack is kosher. And, whilst I know that it's possible to dynamically remove reactions from workshops whilst in-game using DFHack, I'm uncertain whether the reverse is possible, and this would be pretty important to achieving powered workshops.
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this.
EDIT: then again, I realized while I was soaking in the bath, it isn't possible to remove reactions from just one workshop, is it? That sort of puts a damper on this plan.