The system analysis task took as its basis the nominal 200 MWe plant which is responsive to the electric utilities tendency to add capacity in small increments. The scope of the study encompassed the four principal subsystems which constitute a fuel cell power plant: Coal Gasification, Coal Gas Purification, Fuel Cell and bottoming Cycle. The screening of 45 alternate configurations was conducted to find the optimum among them in terms of ability to perform and to deliver low cost electricity. Although the accuracy of that screening was only to about plus or minus 50%, the relative positions of the more attractive cases are established with adequate confidence. Parametric and sensitivity studies were performed for Case C27, which is a 200 MW(e) MCFC power plant with a steam bottoming cycle. The parametric study was conducted to assess plant performance by varying fuel cell design and operating conditions. The study found that out of eleven case studies and three variables evaluated, fuel cell current density had the greatest impact on plant performance and costs followed by fuel utilization and excess air. Out of 26 sensitivity assessments, it was shown that cost of electricity (COE) is most sensitive to plant finance charges, followed by inflation rate, plant capital costs and capacity factors. Alternative technologies were also assessed, as part of the overall program for the development of coal-fired, MCFC-based power plants. A comparison of the selected coal gasification molten carbonate fuel cell designs with competing coal-based technologies such as pulverized coal power plants with stack scrubbing, pressurized fluidized bed combustion, and integrated coal gasification combined cycle was also conducted. 19 figs., 6 tabs.