More power - less temperature

Raising the efficiency of power stations is certainly one of the most important tasks if fossil energy sources such as oil, gas and coal are to be used more sparingly. The use of medium-temperature and high-temperature heat appears to offer good chances of doing this. A combined cycle using several turbines and recuperators yields a steam circuit which appreciably improves the specific performance of power stations. Base load and peak load generation are equally as feasible as tapping heat from the cycle with only a slight sacrifice in terms of electricity generation. (orig.)