Abstract
The potential for advanced energy conversion techniques with high temperature efficiency and/or lower energy conversion costs for coal-fired and nuclear power plants is discussed. Advanced energy conversion developments in open combined cycle gas turbine, closed cycle gas turbine, MHD, potassium-steam binary cycle, low temperature closed cycle, and fuel cell power plants are outlined. There are three main approaches to obtaining a high thermal efficiency in energy conversion: increased top cycle temperatures; combined cycles; and fuel cell development.