In this paper, the integration of a solid oxide fuel cell operating at a very high temperature (900-1000 degreesC, 55-60% efficiency) in a near-zero emission power cycle is presented. A more efficient and powerful hybrid near-zero emission CO2/O-2 cycle is obtained with a CO2 release as small as 6 g CO2/kW h(e). Based on a trade-off analysis, the net efficiency is around 47-48%, similar to a current one-pressure level natural gas fired combined cycle, and the power output (940 kW(e)) is increased by 66% compared to the so-called E-MATIANT cycle but currently at a much higher cost than those of other known zero-emission power cycles. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.