Book excerpt: This book covers the design, analysis, and optimization of the cleanest, most efficient fossil fuel-fired electric power generation technology at present and in the foreseeable future. The book contains a wealth of first principles-based calculation methods comprising key formulae, charts, rules of thumb, and other tools developed by the author over the course of 25+ years spent in the power generation industry. It is focused exclusively on actual power plant systems and actual field and/or rating data providing a comprehensive picture of the gas turbine combined cycle technology from performance and cost perspectives. Material presented in this book is applicable for research and development studies in academia and government/industry laboratories, as well as practical, day-to-day problems encountered in the industry (including OEMs, consulting engineers and plant operators).