⚡ 1480 RENAISSANCE DR

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee

FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

DATE: October 26, 2023

SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for APN 09221100050000 (1480 Renaissance Dr, Park Ridge, IL)

1. Site Access & Topography

The subject property, located at 1480 Renaissance Drive in Park Ridge, IL, exhibits excellent site access characteristics. Situated within a well-developed commercial office park, the site is immediately accessible from Renaissance Drive, which connects to major arterial roads such as South Dee Road and Higgins Road (IL-72). Proximity to Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) is less than a mile, facilitating straightforward logistics for equipment and construction crew mobilization.

Based on satellite imagery and regional geographic data, the topography is flat, which is typical for the Chicagoland area. This presents a significant advantage, as it will minimize the need for extensive civil work and grading, thereby reducing construction costs and timelines. The property is currently developed with a multi-story office building and an expansive surface parking lot. This existing infrastructure ensures that access for heavy equipment, including cranes for setting transformers and battery containers, is highly feasible. The paved surfaces can likely support the required loads, though a geotechnical survey will be necessary to confirm soil compaction and suitability for foundation pads.

A potential concern is the parcel size discrepancy between the provided 35.02 acres and the Regrid data showing 2.97 acres for the specific APN. Our analysis assumes the 2.97-acre parcel is the target. While access to the parcel itself is clear, securing a formal access easement through the larger office park property, if owned by a separate entity or subject to a condo association, will be a critical step to guarantee unfettered access for construction and long-term operations and maintenance (O&M).

2. Environmental Constraints

The environmental profile of the site presents several critical unknowns that must be addressed immediately.

• FEMA Flood Zone: The site's flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This is a high-priority data gap. Siting critical infrastructure within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A, AE) would introduce significant design complexity, require elevating all equipment above the Base Flood Elevation, and could make the project uninsurable or un-permittable. A desktop FEMA map review is required.
• Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is also Unknown. While the highly developed nature of the site reduces the probability of significant wetlands, drainage features or retention ponds within the larger office park could be classified as such. Any identified wetlands would trigger significant setbacks (typically 50-100 feet) and could severely constrain the buildable area. A National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) screening is a necessary first step.
• Critical Habitat / Species: The data indicates no critical habitats or protected areas on or near the site, which is a significant de-risking factor.
• Brownfield/Superfund Status: The presence of a superfund site within two miles is noted. However, for the purposes of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentive, the subject parcel itself must qualify as a brownfield site as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 9601(39)(A). Currently, there is no evidence this site qualifies. The nearby contamination poses a minor risk of potential soil/groundwater issues that would be uncovered during a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), but it does not confer the IRA bonus. This should be treated as a potential risk, not an advantage, until a Phase I ESA proves otherwise.
• Pipeline Proximity: No major gas transmission pipelines are identified within a three-mile radius, mitigating risks associated with pipeline-related setbacks and safety protocols.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Grid access is the single greatest challenge and potential flaw for this project. The available data is insufficient and points to significant hurdles.

• Substation Proximity: The nearest substation is Unknown. This is a fatal flaw in the current data package. A preliminary desktop search identifies the ComEd Park Ridge Substation approximately 1.5-2.0 miles northeast of the site. A distance of this magnitude would make interconnection economically unviable for a ≤5MW BESS project, as it would likely require a new, dedicated distribution feeder line costing several million dollars.
• Transmission & Distribution Lines: A 138kV transmission line is located 1.5 miles away. This is not a viable Point of Interconnection (POI) for a distribution-scale project due to the prohibitive cost of a transmission-level tap and substation. The primary target must be local three-phase distribution feeders. Satellite imagery shows overhead distribution lines along S. Dee Road and