It’s been more than 200 years since the widespread implementation of the steam engine.
Why is this still the most prevalent means of producing electricity? With things like fusion reactors, why is it so hard to convert the thermal energy into electrical energy?
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Steam Rankine cycle (vs other heat engine cycles) is very good up to about 550 C which is near the creep strength limit of steel. Going higher requires exotic materials or power cycles (gas Brayton or sCO2) and only gives marginal gains. Capital costs outweigh efficiency gains.
It’s better than other options for iron based materials. More expensive materials aren’t worth the gains.
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