Development history and operation experience of ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants

Abstract

While significant efforts to prevent further Climate Change have been put into practice, coal is, and coal will always be, playing the major role in global energy supply in next decades. To use coal with minimal environmental impact, one of the practical solutions that are available today is the Ultra-Supercritical (USC) technology which is a well-established technology with high potential for further development in the future. Started in the USA, development of new materials that were applicable to high steam conditions took place predominantly in Europe and Japan. This led to construction of many USC power plants in recent years, and Electric Power Development Co. (EPDC) in Japan has been one of the most experienced USC operators in the world. Further development of the technology is being carried out in Europe, the USA and Japan.