Music to my ears! And apologies for not being up to date with how the mod was developed in the years after ETWs release.
The thing is that those realism features that you mention are seldom talked about when it comes to modding, at least in my view. Graphics, new units, and effects are always the focal points of overhaul mods. Seeing back and forth discussions on this subject between talented modders is very cool. I didn't realize that Kaunitz was the progenitor of these concepts before even Empire Realism took them as a core element.
Who can complain about having to manage unit's firing and keep reserves? LOL. One of the things that annoy me most when reading or watching other players' AARs is the bog standard "killbox" technique based on nothing but line infantry - having there be a cost and risk associated with firing early is the only solution that I can think of.
This mod is looking better and better, too bad I have no time to play (only mod myself occasionally)...