With the advantages of high efficiency

compact system and high flexibility

supercritical carbon dioxide(S-CO_2) power cycle can replace or partially replace the steam Rankine cycle to achieve efficient thermal power conversion in the future. The present paper summarizes the research progress at home and abroad from the perspective of energy transfer/conversion mechanisms

key components development and system design and analysis. The smallscale radial flow turbine systems have been successfully demonstrated

but the performance is deteriorated by the CO_2 leakage. Problems caused by small-scale radial flow turbomachines may not occur for large-scale axial flow turbomachines. The domestic research progress of S-CO_2 cycle in China is reviewed. Focusing on the energy transfer/conversion mechanisms and system design of large-scale S-CO_2 coal-fired power plant

the module design of the boiler is proposed to reduce the pressure drop even lower than that of the water steam boiler. The connected-topbottom-cycle is proposed to recover the flue gas heat in the whole temperature range. The experimental system of high temperature/high pressure CO_2 heat transfer is established

obtaining experimental data with a wide range of parameters. The concept of supercritical pseudo-boiling is introduced

and the supercritical "boiling" number

K number and the high-accuracy general correlation predicting the heat transfer deterioration and heat transfer are proposed

and the conceptual design of S-CO_2 boiler for controlling wall temperature is studied. Based on the review

perspectives are proposed

including the optimization of S-CO_2 cycle adapting to different heat sources(nuclear energy

solar energy

fossil energy)

the design and manufacturing technology of the key components such as recuperators

compressors and turbines

the control and operation technology of key components and the whole system

as well as the demonstration S-CO_2 power system in different power scales

which lay a foundation for the commercial application of S-CO_2 power system theoretically and technically.