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Considering that in The Force Awakens we see that Starkiller Base needs to drain a star to power it, what makes the Death Star so powerful? It's a giant superlaser, but what does it run on?

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    Just a mention, DS could shoot only in the same system/orbit with LOS. Starkiller Base was able to take out a target ANYWHERE IN THE GALAXY shooting through hyperspace. That's gotta need tons (sic) of energy. Comparing the two superweapons energy requirements is not easy.
    – Mindwin
    Oct 20 '17 at 10:26
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    The lost orb of phantasia! Jk..
    – Garret Gang
    Oct 21 '17 at 3:46
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    Kyber crystals anyone? (Rogue one)
    – Garret Gang
    Oct 21 '17 at 3:46
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A Hypermatter Reactor. Just like Star Destroyers and other imperial vessels, but bigger (obviously).

Many of those present were researchers and scientists involved with various aspects of the battle station project — the drives, shield and tractor beam technology, hypermatter power plant — without a full understanding of what they were working on.
Catalyst - Chapter 8: Public Displays of Affection

(emphasis mine)

The superlaser was fired by taking the power from the hypermatter reactor and focusing it all through the kyber crystals.

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    Relevant: scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/150709/…
    – Moo
    Oct 20 '17 at 6:31
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    Interesting, I remember one of the purportedly scrapped Clone Wars story arcs (due to the series' cancellation) was about tracking down a giant kyber crystal and wondering what it was for.
    – Mikasa
    Oct 20 '17 at 8:16
  • Will we see those arcs again now that the clone wars has been completed?
    – Wooden13
    Nov 17 '18 at 18:49

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