Three basic options for advanced power plants, allowing energy conversion inclusive of CO2 capture, are discussed: the semi-closed gas turbine cycle with atmospheric base pressure, the integrated gassifier/combined cycle with pressurised absorption of CO2, and the supercritical semi-closed CO2/H2O cycle with liquid CO2 capture. The merits of the different options are discussed and compared, and improvements to the basic layouts are proposed. The results show that all three solutions have a good potential for application, depending on the size of the plant and on the near or medium-term future perspective.