The concept of a cold radiative plasma boundary is presented as a possible solution of the energy exhaust problem in a fusion reactor. The most relevant processes which determine level and location of the radiation from low-Z impurities are discussed in detail. Experimental results are used to demonstrate the general feasibility of generating a stable and quasi-stationary plasma with a cold radiating layer on a high power level. Furthermore, the limitations of the concept are briefly analyzed addressing feed-back control of the impurity level, thermal stability, particle transport and impurity contamination.