A new type of power cycle called S-CO2 Brayton cycle can be more efficient than traditional steam cycles. Researchers created a model for a coal-fired power plant using this cycle, allowing for different ways to optimize the process. By reaching a turbine inlet temperature of 600°C, the S-CO2 cycle can achieve a thermal efficiency of 52.5%, which is 4.5 percentage points higher than an ultra-supercritical steam cycle at the same level.