Dark energy

Dark energy was a form of energy that permeated the entire universe and was more abundant than anything else in the cosmos, but was very diffuse and difficult to detect. Harvesting dark energy as a power source was thought impossible until the First Order discovered a way to collect a form of dark energy known as quintessence. This process was used to create the Starkiller Base superweapon, which was capable of destroying entire star systems. The dark energies of Starkiller Base, much like those seen within the interiors of Xyston-class Star Destroyers, could have been the reason why the blasts of such a weapon were a vibrant-red color, suggesting that the dark energies had bled the exploited kyber crystals.

Text and facts from the “Dark energy” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.