But this suggestion is about Energy Crystals in general. If I recall correctly, aren't the Spiral Knights looking for the EC below the planet's surface? If that's the case, how come a player can't physically obtain it? I already know it's a selling point for OOO, but that's not what I'm taking a stab at here.
We all know about the minerals found throughout the Clockworks, why not have a crystal-like deposit just like that for players to take? Since there are three different sizes of the mineral, the denominations can go something along the lines of 1, 2, or 3; maybe even 1, 2, or 4 Energy Crystals? After a full run on just Mist energy, a player could obtain 10 to 30 EC, which he or she could decide to keep to use on crafting, selling, or just covering the costs of being revived (I know I would sometimes), etc. I've read several other forum topics about how Energy Crystal prices are raising, so this could be one way to perhaps slow the speed at which it climbs, as a side effect.
P.S. I don't know if this had been suggested already.
Nope. CE is better off not found in the Clockworks. It's better to destroy crowns than to magically add CE through the market in-game.
This suggestion would totally devalue CE to the point of worthlessness and no one would use their $$$ to buy CE at all, destroying this game for good.