Advances in battery energy storage systems (BESS) are growing in importance with continual technological improvements and declining costs of leading battery chemistries such as lithium-ion, vanadium redox, sodium-sulfur, and others. This includes improvements with new chemistries boosting performance. BESS units play an essential role via increased integration with power supply sources with zero-greenhouse gas and zero-carbon emissions such as intermittent renewable power sources (e.g., solar PV and wind) and advances in dispatchable baseload commercial nuclear power (e.g., small modular reactors). This report discusses the viable pathways for BESS units, evaluates the status of commercially advanced battery technologies and applications, and reviews the methodologies for determining the costs and techno-economics of BESS technologies, systems, and projects. The report also provides detailed case studies along with an overview of technology types, their rated output, project status, siting and location, ownership, supply/value chain partners, cost, performance, benefits, and any other relevant data and information.

​​The process technologies and production economics for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), including LLDPE/HDPE swing processes are presented. Processes from major technology developers are reviewed. Cost of production estimates have been developed on a United States, China, and Middle East basis for conventional and second generation resins. Carbon Intensity of each process type is also explored, with discussion of recent developments aiming to improve the sustainability of LLDPE. Licensee information is presented for each technology along with global and regional capacity listings.​

This report provides an overview of the challenges associated with the use of renewable feedstocks for producing biofuels, chemicals, and heat or power. These challenges are often related to the inherent properties of the feedstock, requiring pre-treatment before it can be used directly in existing processes. The necessary pre-treatment processes for converting the renewable feedstocks are discussed. The report also summarizes the technology readiness levels (TRL) of the renewable feedstocks and the corresponding cost of pre-treatment.

Ethylene copolymers, derived from the polymerization of ethylene and a comonomer (e.g., vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, acrylic acid, or methyl acrylate), extend the performance range of the broad class of high pressure polyethylene resins. The inclusion of a comonomer reduces the crystallinity of the copolymer, as well as its melting point, resulting in improved flexibility, impact strength, and heat sealing characteristics. This report discusses these various specialty LDPE copolymers and also includes cost of production estimates for EVA and other specialty copolymers for the United States and China regions.