Research and development: Essentials, efforts, and future trends

Abstract As of 2016, supercritical CO 2 (sCO 2 ) power plant–related research activities have closed several key technology gaps to make sCO 2 cycles a viable power plant option. However, significant research is still needed in the areas of cycle optimization, transient modeling, turbomachinery, high-temperature materials, corrosion protection, heat exchangers, heaters, process gas quality, and balance of plant integration. Additionally, it is imperative to gain operational experience with utility scale sCO 2 power plants to identify operational constraints and optimal plant operation.