Abstract: Along with fast decrease of coal fired power generation profit, the influence of the construction cost on investment income is increasingly outstanding. To adopt optimal design and to break through the traditional convention is becoming inexorable trend. The optimal design demands to break through the habitual thinking. Based on safety and stable operation, taking the general benefit as starting point, according to the goals of simplifying processing system, optimizing the layout; decreasing the plant area and reducing the project initial investment and operation cost, the optimal design and the innovative design should be developed to ensure the economical benefit optimization of the investment and operation.

Key words: power plant, optimal design, operation, economical benefit