Energy vs Ballistic weapons...

[Tamello de Fformello Tussock]

I am really at a loss here. I'm just learning how to play se4g. I'm researching energy weapons now, stream and otherwise, but they seem to be much much weaker than the ballistic weapons, depleted uranium cannons. Anyone know what the benefit of using these weapons is? They don't seem to use less supply, cost less, or weigh less at all, so what would be the point when you have much better weapons.