Hi, pizza-revenue,
Yes, that is my impression. As long as the Connectors stay 100%, the energy doesn't change based on the connectors. So, the energy must come from the energy that the simulation calculates. I would say that the initial state holds old energy, but there is something working on it; otherwise, it would be static.
Example:
CV4_2024_drs_24_SIis_11.c4d
Press play and observe the slider Target Length of the Connector.
This is how I explore those things. Make little test scenes. Then, different ones to double-check.
I thought about making it editable, but not knowing in which state they are when connected made me uncertain. I like to work with files here, not guessing.
This doesn't mean I have a solution in the "drawer". Sorry.
Cheers