Thermodynamic cycle optimization for a steam turbine cycle

A steam turbine, comprising:

• a high pressure turbine stage fluidly connected to a high pressure steam source to receive a high pressure entry steam from the high pressure steam source, the high pressure turbine stage being structured to convert energy of the high pressure entry steam into mechanical energy and output a high pressure exhaust steam;
• a low pressure turbine stage fluidly connected to a low pressure steam source to receive a low pressure entry steam from the low pressure steam source, the low pressure turbine stage being structured to convert energy of the low pressure entry steam into mechanical energy and output a low pressure exhaust steam;
• a steam seal header fluidly connected to an output of the high pressure turbine stage and fluidly connected to an input of the low pressure turbine stage, the steam seal header being structured to receive at least a portion of the high pressure exhaust steam from the high pressure turbine stage and output a dump steam to the low pressure turbine stage, the dump steam comprising the portion of the high pressure exhaust stream;
• a boiler fluidly connected to a work fluid source to receive work fluid provided by the work fluid source, the boiler being structured to generate primary steam by applying heat to the work fluid;
• and
• a heat pump fluidly located in between the steam seal header and the low pressure turbine stage and in between the work fluid source and the boiler, the heat pump being structured to transfer heat from the dump steam to at least a portion of the work fluid.