Intelligent control is an interdisciplinary developed on the basis of artificial intelligence and automatic control

it is a method mainly to solve complex system problem which is very difficult to be solved by classical control methods. From the perspective of neural network control

fuzzy control and intelligent optimization techniques

the intelligent control technology

its main application forms and the corresponding characteristics in thermal power generating units are reviewed. On this basis

this study summarizes the research progress of the application of intelligent control technology in control systems

such as the main steam temperature control

boiler combustion and emission control

coal mill control and decoupling control of circulating fluidized bed in thermal power units. Then its related problems in concrete application are discussed. Finally

the future development of intelligent control application research is prospected. According to the characteristics of different controlled objects in thermal power units

hybrid intelligent optimal control method synthesized the advatages of different intelligent control methods will become an important research content.