Text by Yawen Zhao and English Translation by Bin Lin

　　　　Research Professor Na Zhang, Assistant Research Professor Xiaosong Zhang and a graduate student, Yawen Zhang, in the Laboratory of Energy Systems and Renewable Energy at the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics went to Iguaçu, Brazil for the 22nd International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems (ECOS) held on August 30 through September 3. The ECOS Conference is co-sponsored by the American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the International Centre for Applied Thermodynamics (ICAT) with the contents covering the entire thermal sciences, including in particular thermodynamics and its applications to energy conversion systems and processes. More than 230 high-level papers from over the world were submitted to this conference. Some excellent submitted papers will be selected and published in the journal of Energy.

　　At the conference, a Chinese researcher, Na Zhang, representing China and other experts and scholars from the United States, Mexico, Spain, India, Japan and Brazil, jointly presented excellent reports on the world energy situation. Na Zhang gave a talk titled energy situation and future development strategy in China with analyses of the energy situation in China, and the challenges encountered in the process of development and future energy policies, respectively. Her talk drew extensive attention and triggered discussions of the international counterparts.

　　Totally, three papers by researchers at the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics were submitted to the conference and included into the conference proceedings. They are Analysis of Hybrid Configuration of Coal Based Methanol-Power Polygeneration System, Proposal and Analysis of a Cogeneration System with Integration of Chemically Recuperated Gas Turbine Cycle and Thermal Seawater Desalination, and Proposed Repowering of a Coal-Fired Power Plant by Using Low-grade Solar Thermal Energy. During the conference, Na Zhang, Xiaosong Zhang, and Yawen Zhang gave their talks related to contents of their conference papers and answered questions of participants.

　　This conference highlighted the international research hot topics in recent years with the number of papers, including multi-generation, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and the new energy. The exchange and learning at this conference helped us broaden our international view, see our own shortcomings and advantages, and further clarify the directions of future development in the field of energy. It is very significant.