Method of operating a power plant

At least one main air compressor (12) makes a compressed ambient gas flow (26). The compressed ambient gas flow (26) is delivered to a turbine combustor (32) at a pressure that is greater than or substantially equal to an output pressure delivered to the turbine combustor (32) from a turbine compressor (30) as at least a first portion of a recirculated gas flow (50). A fuel stream (28) is delivered to the turbine combustor (32), and a combustible mixture is formed and burned, forming the recirculated gas flow (50). A turbine power is produced that is substantially equal to at least a power required to rotate the turbine compressor (30). At least a portion of the recirculated gas flow (50) is recirculated through a recirculation loop (52). An excess portion of the recirculated gas flow (50) is vented or a portion of the turbine compressor exhaust (44) bypasses the turbine combustor (32) or both.