Steam turbine cycles and cycle design optimization: Advanced ultra-supercritical thermal power plants and nuclear power plants

Abstract This chapter deals with advanced ultra-supercritical (A-USC) thermal power plants and nuclear power plants focusing on heat cycles incorporated with steam turbines. Both power plants contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Regarding the thermal power plant, efficiency enhancement has been attempted by raising the steam temperature, and A-USC is one of the solutions to achieving higher efficiency than the present ultra-supercritical thermal power plants. The other topic in this chapter is nuclear power plants which are capable of electric power generation without producing carbon dioxide. The cycle design optimization and the key features are also described in each section.