Fossil power plant residual life optimization in the USA

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, a number of electric utilities in the US were plagued by rising costs and obstacles to the addition of new capacity. Public and regulatory pressures forced significant cuts in nuclear programs. Higher interest rates and environmental concerns restricted the construction of new fossil plants. These diverse factors combined to create a strong pressure to operate older units for longer periods of time. A recent shift toward unit economic optimization and plant profitability is described. The diverse strategies utilities companies are using to optimize the residual life of fossil power plants are discussed. The best strategies for monitoring and inspecting fossil plants are described. The lives of boilers and turbines can be increased through the use of advanced materials.