Economic Analysis of New Coal-Fired Generation Options Free

Coal-fired power plants are experiencing a resurgence due to cheaper prices compared to natural gas. However, environmental concerns remain. New technologies aim to tackle these issues by capturing emissions and boosting efficiency. EPRI's economic analysis highlights the potential of ultrasupercritical boilers with advanced materials, which could reach a remarkable 48% efficiency. However, these cutting-edge boilers come at a higher cost due to the expensive materials needed to withstand extremely high steam temperatures (around 730-760°C). The challenge lies in finding the optimal balance between efficiency gains and material costs.