Voltiano

Voltiano is a fictional term used in science fiction and speculative works to denote a concept related to electrical energy or potential. In different stories or games, Voltiano may function as a unit of energy, a measure of electric potential, a currency in an in-universe economy, or a designation for a device or component. The versatility of the term reflects common world-building practices in genres that blend technology with social systems. The etymology combines the familiar volt, the SI unit for electric potential, with the Italian suffix -iano, giving the term a generic, slightly European flavor and echoing historical associations with Alessandro Volta, the inventor of the electric cell.

In practice, there is no single, canonical definition of Voltiano; definitions vary from author to author. Some uses emphasize engineering-like scale, while others frame Voltiano as a fictional monetary unit used to price energy or access to networks. Because it is fictional, Voltiano is not part of real-world physics or engineering, and no standards body governs its usage. The term often appears in works that depict advanced energy systems, spacefaring economies, or digital simulations, where it helps to convey a sense of technical realism without tying the narrative to real units.

See also: Volt, energy units, electrical engineering in fiction.